Beyond the Beaches: What’s Driving Tourists Away from Goa’s Sand, Sun, and Sea?
Goa, once the crown jewel of Indian tourism, has recently seen an unexpected decline in visitors. This year, during what is typically its busiest season, the streets of Goa were startlingly empty. A social media post by Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, showcasing near-deserted streets in Goa during New Year’s, sparked widespread conversation online, triggering an intense debate about the future of tourism in the state. Many netizens voiced their concerns, attributing the downturn to a variety of factors. Some pointed to rising travel and accommodation costs, which has made Goa less appealing to budget travelers. Others blamed the lack of efficient local transport and increasing competition from more affordable Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam. In addition, tourists criticized Goa’s beaches for being dirty and disorganized compared to pristine destinations like the Maldives and Thailand. A Reddit user shared their experience in a post titled "Goa’s Declining T...