Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Tourism said that high room rates and airfares together with global issues resulted in fewer arrivals to Goa during the peak season. He also pointed out that the focus on high numbers is not sustainable in the long run as it leads to over-exploitation of tourism. The minister called on Goa’s tourism industry to take corrective measures as high rates of hotels and airfares were dissuading families from travelling to Goa, especially during December. Goa saw a dismal tourism season this December with many two and three-star hotels having reported around 50% occupancy and the lack of international as well as domestic tourists on the state’s coastline spoke volumes about Goa as a holiday destination.
The low turnout of foreign tourists was attributed to the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing conflict in West Asia involving Israel. These countries including Central European nations contribute a significant number of tourists to Goa.
Khaunte further pointed out that Goa took a hit due to faulty marketing strategies and exploitative habits of the tourism sector.
