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Goa's Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, has slammed social media influencers for allegedly spreading false information about the state's tourism industry. He claims that some influencers have been paid to malign Goa's image, citing data that shows domestic tourist arrivals have actually surpassed last year's figures. Hotel occupancy rates for five- and four-star hotels have been close to 100%, and 60-65% for lower-category hotels.

 

Khaunte condemned influencers for propagating falsehoods, stating that Goa's beauty and creativity cannot be compared to Thailand. He emphasized that the state government is working to resolve issues related to taxis, hotel fares, and connectivity.

 

Interestingly, Khaunte mentioned that some restaurateurs have complained about influencers from other states demanding free lunches or stays in exchange for promoting a certain perception on social media. He urged local influencers to showcase the "real picture" of Goa.

 

To promote Goan culture, Khaunte announced that river cruise operators will be directed to play only Goan music and serve Goan snacks during their evening cruises.

 

This controversy comes after a viral social media post claimed that foreign tourists had abandoned Goa, sparking a heated online debate. The Goa government responded by saying that comparing the state to countries like Sri Lanka can create an inaccurate perspective.