Goa govt files police complaint against social media user who said foreign tourists staying away

Goa govt files police complaint against social media user who said foreign tourists staying away

In a complaint submitted to the Cyber Cell police station, a tourism official claims that a social media post “may be part of a hidden agenda aimed at undermining Goa’s state image.”

The Goa government has filed a police complaint against a social media user for spreading claims that foreign tourists are avoiding the state. Officials stated that the user claimed foreign tourists were staying away due to unfavorable conditions, which government representatives have described as misinformation that could harm Goa’s tourism image.

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Goa’s tourism industry depends significantly on international visitors, especially during the peak season from November to February. Government officials contend that such statements could discourage tourists and impact the state’s economy, particularly as it aims to fully recover post-pandemic.

The Goa government has lodged a police complaint against a social media user who suggested that foreign tourists are steering clear of the state. According to Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, the post allegedly contained misleading information that could negatively impact Goa’s reputation as a tourist hotspot. Authorities suspect that this content may be part of a larger effort to tarnish the state’s image, especially as it draws international visitors during its peak season.

This initiative is part of Goa’s larger effort to counteract the portrayal of the state by social media users and influencers, which officials claim unfairly links it to problems such as drugs and crime. The government has declared a crackdown on any defamatory content in an attempt to discourage potential visitors.