Tourists Avoiding Goa? Viral Video Highlights Quiet New Year Streets
Tourists Avoiding Goa? Viral Video Highlights Quiet New Year Streets
In a striking turn of events, a video showcasing the weird empty streets of Goa during the typically bustling New Year season has gone viral. Known for its vibrant nightlife and festive celebrations, Goa usually attracts throngs of tourists eager to ring in the New Year. However, this year, many are left astonished by the unusually quiet atmosphere, sparking discussions about changing travel trends and the impact of recent events on tourism in this popular destination.
Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj shared the video on X, stating, “Goa is nearly empty. There are hardly any tourists. This should serve as a wake-up call for the government. I hope they take action, especially regarding transportation.”
Another X user, Shajan Samuel, quickly disputed her statement, claiming, “This is false information. Goa is completely full.”
In reply, Bhardwaj posted another video from December 29, which depicted a nearly deserted market. She remarked, “For those who are calling me a liar, this was taken last night on roads that used to be completely congested during New Year.”
An X user who retweeted the video commented, “I can’t believe this is Goa during New Year. It seems people are opting for Southeast Asian countries for better value. This reflects the disappointment in Indian tourism.”
The user added that while temple tourism is thriving in India, “people are choosing international travel for leisure activities.”
Another individual agreed with this view, expressing hope that this situation will lead to “some positive changes in Indian tourism.”
Some individuals have pointed out factors like “expensive airfares, high hotel prices, and costly taxi fares” as reasons why tourists are steering clear of Goa this season.
In contrast, a report released in November highlighted a more optimistic outlook for Goa. According to Noesis, a prominent hotel investment and advisory firm, the report noted that “Goa’s tourism is set for a remarkable year in 2024, building on the strong recovery seen in 2023. Domestic tourist arrivals are expected to exceed 8.5 million, while international visitors could reach pre-pandemic levels, possibly surpassing 500,000.”
Rohan A. Khaunte, Goa’s Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications, previously raised concerns about “unverified and false” information regarding Goa’s tourism statistics circulating on social media.
In a conversation, Khaunte stated that the government is taking steps to improve the tourist experience. He also addressed worries about local taxi services and public transport, assuring that efforts are underway to resolve these issues.
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