More than 60% decline in the number of foreign tourists in Goa, a worrying struggle post-pandemic

Goa, one of India’s most sought-after tourist destinations, is witnessing a significant decline in the number of foreign tourists due to the pandemic. While the state has seen a recovery in domestic tourism, foreign arrivals have not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

This decline faces serious challenges for the tourism sector, which is highly dependent on international visitors. Several factors, from geopolitical tensions to infrastructure deficiencies, are contributing to this shift and impacting companies that rely on foreign spending.

Goa, one of India’s most sought-after tourist destinations, is witnessing a significant decline in the number of foreign tourists due to the pandemic. Goa has traditionally been a favorite among foreign tourists, especially those from Russia, Israel and the United Kingdom.

However, numbers have plummeted since the pandemic. In 2019, Goa welcomed nearly 9.4 lakh foreign tourists, but by 2023, this figure had fallen to just 4.03 lakh in November, according to O Heraldo.

This represents one almost 60% drop in the number of foreign tourists in just a few years. In particular, there was an 82% drop in the number of foreign tourists in 2022 compared to 2018, a worrying trend for the state’s tourism-dependent economy.

GEOPOLITICAL TENSION IMPACT TRAVEL

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, together with the unrest in Gaza, has had a significant impact on the flow of tourists from these regions. For example, before the pandemic, Goa saw five charter flights a day from Russia, but now the frequency has drastically reduced, with only a handful of flights per week, The Goan Everyday reported.

Similarly, Goa once attracted countless Israeli tourists, but due to the volatile political climate in the Middle East, charter flights from Israel have also been suspended.

These geopolitical issues have made travelers from affected countries reluctant to visit, compounded by the delays in India’s e-visas for British nationals, which have disrupted the steady flow of European tourists.

Despite these hurdles, Goa remains hopeful that it can attract tourists from other emerging markets such as Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which have started to contribute modestly to tourist numbers.

DOMESTIC TOURISM STEPS IN, BUT FOREIGN TOURISTS DO NOT

The positive for Goa has been the surge in domestic tourism, which has offset some of the losses in international visitors. In 2019, Goa received around 80.6 million domestic tourists, a number that dropped sharply in 2020 due to the pandemic but rose again to 76.1 million in 2023.

The increase in domestic tourism has been especially significant because Indians, with higher disposable incomes, are now more willing to travel and spend money on leisure activities such as destination weddings and family vacations.

However, despite the influx of domestic tourists, local entrepreneurs argue that the longer stay and higher expenditure of foreign tourists are crucial to maintaining the financial health of Goa’s tourism sector.

Foreign tourists tend to stay for longer periods, visit premium properties more often and contribute a greater share of revenue compared to domestic visitors.

STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR URGENT POLICY CHANGES

With the loss of foreign tourists, local businesses are calling for urgent government intervention to address the ongoing problems. Industry leaders are calling for measures such as reducing visa costs and landing fees at airports and simplifying the visa-on-arrival process.

These steps would make Goa more competitive with other destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, which offer lower costs and better infrastructure.

There is also a push for infrastructure improvements, including better public transport, beach facilities and overall tourist experience, to ensure Goa remains a top choice for international visitors once geopolitical tensions ease.

A HOPEFUL BUT UNCERTAIN FUTURE

While the prospects for Goa’s tourism sector remain uncertain, stakeholders are hopeful that the coming months will bring a turnaround. The peak tourist season, which runs from November to March, will be crucial in determining how well Goa can recover.

If the political situation improves and targeted measures are taken, the state could regain its position as one of Asia’s top tourist destinations.

While domestic tourism has provided a much-needed boost, the decline in foreign tourists post-pandemic remains a major hurdle for Goa’s tourism sector.

Addressing the challenges posed by geopolitical instability, outdated visa policies and infrastructure gaps will be critical to the state’s recovery. As the tourism industry looks ahead, it must adapt to both the changing dynamics of international travel and the changing demands of global tourists.