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Goa tourism is currently facing significant challenges that have marred its previously sparkling image. Recent alarming events, including a horrific attack on minors at a hotel in Calangute, have raised urgent questions about the safety of visitors, leading to swift police action and a re-evaluation of hotel management practices.
The issues do not start and end here. A temporary prohibition on app-based taxis such as Uber and Ola, justified as a protective measure for local taxi organisations, has intensified existing grievances regarding erratic pricing and intimidation from taxi drivers. Moreover, the contentious introduction of varying ferry fares—charging tourists higher than locals—paints a troubling picture for a state struggling with the management of its key economic sector.
These developments have sparked a backlash on social media, with one LinkedIn user straightforwardly stating: “Goa tourism needs to die.”
In a critical post, the user elaborated, “For a state that generates one-sixth of its GDP from tourism, the attitudes of the government and locals toward visitors are dreadful. Instead of hospitality, Goa seems to greet tourists with hostile stares from taxi drivers and, at best, indifference from those working in the tourism sector.”
The post recounted a long-standing issue with local transportation. “When that individual was 17 or 18, they took a cab from their campus to the nearest town, Vasco. An 8 km journey cost 600 rupees. Numerous taxi drivers were waiting at the campus entrance to impose these outrageous prices. The taxi cartel has only become more powerful since then. A cab from the airport to the city, which is 20 km away, now costs over 1,500 rupees.”
Sharing a recent experience, the user mentioned, “While in Goa last month, they had arranged cabs directly from the hotel (at another 100% premium to the already high Goa rates) for the team’s return to the airport. While waiting for the cars, a local taxi driver approached—a towering man resembling a truck. When informed that the team already had cabs booked, he ominously stated, ‘Online cabs are not allowed here. They will not come.’ Ten minutes later, when the booked cab arrived, he confronted the driver about whether he was using ‘Goa Miles?’ The driver responded negatively, and after a whispered conversation, he was ‘permitted’ to continue.”
Critiquing the government’s position, the user remarked, “Currently, the Chief Minister maintains that cab aggregators will still be denied entry into the state. He appears to be yielding to pressure from the local taxi union (essentially operating as a mini crime syndicate) and politicians associated with such taxi businesses. This is outright exploitation. A powerful monopoly at play.”
The post wrapped up with a wider call to action: “This is also an ideal time for other coastal states to enhance their tourism offerings. It is shocking that in a nation with a coastline exceeding 11,000 km, viable beach destinations for tourists are scarce. As long as the supply remains limited and significantly below demand, monopolies will prosper, or individuals will simply opt to travel abroad instead.”
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