Goa, India’s tourism magnet, is currently facing an alarming economic downturn. Shantanu Deshpande, CEO of Bombay Shaving Company, captured the anxiety in a LinkedIn post: “Goa’s tourism decline has been rapid and severe. Social media has shortened the word-of-mouth cycle from years to hours.”
Once-bustling bars are now deserted, cabins are quiet and events are no longer crowded, he wrote, leaving many investors who bought vacation homes in search of high returns to question their choices. He added that the decline was due to the lack of stock.
“What they’re saying is, ‘We’re so happy that Goa will be calm and quiet without the noisy hordes of tourists.'” What they actually feel is, ” Damn, this investment is going to fail.” I don’t even want to go to Goa,” Deshpande wrote.
Goa’s tourism woes exploded on social media after a post criticizing its infrastructure went viral. Complaints ranged from unreliable transportation and taxi monopolies to soaring hotel and flight prices. Entrepreneur Ramanuj Mukherjee claimed that “foreign tourists have abandoned Goa,” pointing to a decline in tourist numbers and a shift to international alternative destinations such as Thailand and Sri Lanka.
In response, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Kunte dismissed the allegations as a “defamation campaign”, saying the influencers were being paid to tarnish the country’s reputation. He noted that in 2024, domestic tourism will increase by 22% and 1.04 billion tourists will be recorded. However, the number of foreign tourists has been hit by geopolitical conflicts and logistical challenges and remains well below pre-pandemic levels.
While tourism is struggling, Goa’s real estate market continues to boom. High rental yields of 12-16% per year and improved connectivity through the new Mopa International Airport have resulted in property values increasing 30-50% in four years. Investors flock to Goa for its lifestyle appeal, pristine beaches and rich culture. However, with the decline in tourism, many are reevaluating their decisions. “It will be interesting to see the escalation of painful behaviors among people who have actually migrated there,” Deshpande said.
Social media influencers and local activists are intensifying the debate. “This was a heartfelt cry for a better Goa,” said documentary filmmaker Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj, whose posts about Goa’s emptiness drew criticism online. Meanwhile, local influencers are calling on the government to tackle real problems, such as transport inefficiencies and mismanagement of waste, rather than ignore criticism.
