Panaji: BJP MLA Michael Lobo has attributed the decline in international tourist arrivals in Goa to the sale of South Indian dishes like idli-sambar in beach shacks.
Speaking at a press conference in Calangute, North Goa, on Thursday, Lobo argued that the government alone cannot be blamed for the falling numbers, stating that all stakeholders share responsibility. He lamented that local Goans had rented out their beach shacks to businessmen from other states, altering the culinary offerings that once catered to foreign tourists.
“Some people from Bengaluru are serving ‘vada pav’ in the shacks, some are selling idli-sambar. That’s why international tourism has been declining in the state for the past two years,” Lobo claimed. However, he did not explain how these popular South Indian dishes were impacting tourism in the coastal state.
The legislator noted that Goa has seen a significant drop in foreign tourist arrivals, particularly in the coastal belt, both in North and South Goa. He emphasized that multiple factors were responsible for this downturn, and all stakeholders must take collective responsibility.
While some foreign tourists still visit Goa regularly, Lobo pointed out that younger international visitors were opting for other destinations. He urged the tourism department and industry stakeholders to hold discussions and analyze the reasons behind this shift.
Lobo also highlighted geopolitical factors, stating that Russian and Ukrainian tourists—who formed a significant portion of Goa’s international visitors—had stopped coming due to the ongoing war. “The tourists from former USSR countries have stopped visiting Goa,” he said.
In addition to culinary changes, Lobo stressed the need to resolve key issues plaguing the tourism sector, particularly disputes between cab aggregators and local tourist taxi operators.
“If we don't put a system in place, we will see dark days in the tourism sector,” he warned.
With PTI inputs