Goa tourism: Going off on a tangent

By Pachu Menon

As the state welcomed its first-ever Katowice charter flight last week, is it to be assumed that Goa’s international appeal has received a significant boost from Europe!

While the rest of the world is actively adapting to major shifts by embracing technology integration, focusing on sustainable and authentic experiences, and offering personalised travelling options to meet changing consumer demands, we find that we are stuck in a rut when it comes to Goa’s ability to effectively adapt to evolving global trends.

The officials in the tourism department need to understand that these adaptations are crucial for the industry’s resilience and long-term success, as stakeholders must continue to innovate and respond to the evolving expectations of modern travellers.

As a global tourist destination, Goa today finds itself in the doldrums, with issues like crumbling infrastructure, rising costs, garbage, traffic, and concerns about safety driving away foreign tourists, leading to debates about declining visitor numbers and a loss of its original charm. The coastal paradise has seemingly become overcrowded and less appealing.

Goa has so much to offer by way of immense diversity in culture, landscapes, food, and history. Yet, it refuses to come out of its comfort zone when considering innovations!

Opting to settle for the oft-beaten path, the phobia for experimenting with ‘avantgarde trends’ has been quite evident with the state maintaining a status quo on its tourism routes.

Goa tourism, for that matter, has been more of hype, and little of substance!

The state’s economic reliance on tourism clashes with the negative impacts of unsustainable practices.

The challenge lies in balancing growth with preservation, addressing infrastructure gaps, curbing commercial excesses, and fostering a more responsible tourism model that honours Goa’s unique cultural and natural heritage.

The tagline ‘Delhi by the Sea’ is by no means misconstrued when speaking of Goa!

A beach belt that was once a thriving hub of activities for foreigners and expatriates who craved the land for the – in an author’s words – “freedom, anonymity, and the art of losing oneself” it promised, has been taken over by resort owners and operators from the national capital accelerating the ‘Delhification’ of Goa.

The coastal paradise was soon losing its character, with the land soon transforming into a party destination, affecting its unique culture and environment.

In the course of the last couple of decades, Goa, with its mix of onshore, and opulent offshore casinos has ushered in a culture of ‘casino tourism’ and the associated social and economic changes that come with it, drawing comparisons to destinations like Las Vegas and Macau.

The collective experience of the large-scale operations certainly creates an environment that has earned Goa the nickname of India’s premier entertainment destination.

Goa is today a bustling cornucopia of diverse attractions, blending its rich history with a modern, lively atmosphere.

But as a vibrant destination known for an amalgamation of elements, it has metamorphosed into a setting which appeals more specifically to a particular class of visitors often characterised by a focus on entertainment which definitely has come at the expense of respecting the state’s unique culture and natural heritage.

‘Weekend tourists’, with their penchant for zooming across the state on rental cars and bikes during their short stay, have not helped Goa’s cause either! The adverse effects on the region’s environment and social fabric due to their transient nature has been more than evident.

As a destination aiming for sustainable growth, Goa should adopt an approach which involves developing strategies that not only attract visitors, but also ensure that tourism benefits the local economy and culture.