Panaji: Goa is struggling with a glaring drop in foreign tourist arrivals years after the covid 19 pandemic that significantly impacted the sector, India Today reported.
The global tourist hotspot relies largely on the international tourists to prop up its economy but the state’s tourism sector faces serious challenges.
It is reported that factors ranging from transport, security, cost of services and infrastructure issues to geopolitical tensions contribute to the situation.
Where the state welcomed 9.4 lakh foreign tourists in 2019, the number dropped to just 4.03 lakh by November 2023, according to the report citing OHeraldo.
The state witnessed almost 60% decrease in foreign tourist numbers with the year 2022 marking an 82% decline in foreign tourist arrivals, compared to the numbers in 2018.
One of the factors the report cited as contributing to the fall is the dominance of 'taxi mafias’.
The powerful groups that control taxi services in the state allegedly exploit both tourists and local residents.
Taxi operators in the state allegedly charge inflated rates alongside the lack of metered services and their refusal to follow government regulations.
Tourists, especially foreigners, complained of having been exploited and overcharged, and there are reports of tax drivers intimidating tourists if they seek to negotiate fares.
There are incidents of taxi drivers refusing services if tourists disagreed to pay exorbitant prices.
What the report said ‘the taxi mafia’ dealt a blow to the state’s tourist sector alongside the limited public transport system compounding the situation.
It is pointed out that lack of online tax services such as Ola and Uber contributes to the situation leaving the tourists to depend on taxi mafia.
The conflicts happening between Russia and Ukraine and the war in Gaza largely impacted the foreign tourist arrivals.
At least five charter flights from Russia arrived in Goa before pandemic, according to The Goan Everday.
The worsening political situation in the Middle East cut down the charter flights from Israel as well.