For decades now, Goa has been a top vacation destination for Indians, as well as foreign travellers coming to the country. However, a recent report showed a decline in foreign tourists in the state after COVID-19 and this triggered a slew of social media posts criticising the state’s tourism infrastructure. Now, the Goa Tourism Department has responded and issued accurate data that shows a steady upward trend on both domestic and international fronts. Read on to know more about this.
Goa Tourism Dept Issues Clarification On Foreign Tourism Decline Reports
Responding to the recent discussions about the health of tourism in Goa, the state’s tourism department has stepped forward to set the record straight. According to the department, they felt it was “essential to share reliable data” with travellers and revealed that while the state faced “unprecedented disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” it is now on a path of recovery.
As per data, foreign tourist arrivals rose to over 450,000 in Goa in 2023. This shows a significant increase from pandemic lows. While the state’s foreign tourism has not fully recovered, it is definitely recovering. On the domestic front, Goa is experiencing a robust resurgence. The state welcomed more than 8 million domestic visitors in 2023, surpassing its pre-pandemic figures.
The tourism department acknowledged that Goa faces some challenges like limited scheduled international air connectivity. To overcome this, the state is trying to establish more robust international connections. As part of this, they have already started new charter flights to and from Moscow, Ekaterinburg, London, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.
Additionally, the Goa Tourism Department mentioned that the state is becoming popular for destination weddings and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events.
Requests People Not To Compare It To Sri Lanka
Many social media posts called Goa expensive and compared it to international destinations like Sri Lanka. Responding to this, Goa Tourism requested people not to compare an Indian state with a country. They said that “comparing a state to a country may yield an inaccurate perspective.”
They also acknowledged that Goa can be expensive sometimes due to flights and hotels that cause travellers to seek alternatives. However, the Goa Tourism Department feels that the state “has and will always continue to rise to challenge to solidify its position as a top holiday destination for a diverse range of travellers, including families, groups, couples, and solo women travellers.”
Also Read: Dudhsagar Waterfall In Goa Finally Resumes Jeep Tours; Here’s Why You Should Be Excited
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