Once a thriving destination for both domestic and foreign tourists, Goa’s tourism industry seems to be declining for a number of reasons. A CEIC Data research claims that the state’s foreign tourism industry has not returned to its pre-Covid levels. Only 1.5 million foreign visitors visited Goa in 2023, compared to 8.5 million in 2019, according to the research, highlighting a stark disparity in visitor numbers.
According to studies, the main reason for the drop in popularity of this well-liked resort is that once-frequent travelers from nations like the United Kingdom and Russia are increasingly selecting Sri Lanka over Goa.
Following the story, a lot of people on social media recounted their own bad experiences, with the so-called “Goa taxi mafia” showing up frequently. Travelers reported that taxi drivers harassed them and overcharged them; some even related incidents in which many drivers physically or verbally threatened them for giving rides to foreigners. One user said, “Goa is doomed all thanks to the alliance of local taxi mafia and administration.” After taxi drivers protested, ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber were prohibited, but the local taxi unions had long opposed their admission.
Furthermore, an X user described and shared his experience of being besieged by more than 10 taxi drivers who charged him exorbitant rates for a short ride when he tried to pick up a German tourist from a popular beach. A similar incident involving a cabbie threatening to break his car if he didn’t drop off a foreign guest was recalled by another user.
Even Indian tourists are now compelled to search for other options due to the costs and inconveniences of traveling to Goa, as Southeast Asia and other locations are getting more and more popular. Reports also state that countries with better infrastructure and lower travel costs, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand, are becoming more and more popular, especially Thailand, which has announced that Indians would no longer need a visa. Goa, which was once a bustling tourism destination, may now continue to decline as competition from other regions grows.
