Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI:Goa minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday claimed that they have “successfully” exposed false propaganda on social media against tourism in the coastal state.
Khaunte said attempts were made to negatively portray Goa’s tourism sector.
“We have successfully exposed the propaganda by providing supporting figures on the arrival of tourists in the state,” he said. The numbers were earlier tabled on the floor of the assembly, according to Khaunte.
Khaunte said some politicians from the state, including South Goa MP (Capt Viriato Fernandes) have been acting irresponsibly as far as tourism is concerned.
“South Goa MP suddenly got up and said something unwarranted about tourism in the state. Though I don’t have much expectation from him, this type of people holding responsible positions should make mature and responsible statements about tourism,” he said, without elaborating.
“They themselves are killing the goose. There are challenges but we are confident of overcoming them,” he said.
Khaunte said some people make statements for publicity. “Those people have become social media politicians. I think they should know that when it comes to Goa, we should be united,” he added.
Last week, a tourism department spokeswoman stated that Goa’s international tourism was steadily recovering, despite the COVID-19 epidemic causing unprecedented disruptions to travel around the world and affecting the number of foreign visitors.
“As travel restrictions loosened and global mobility improved, foreign tourist arrivals increased to over 4,50,000 in 2023, a significant increase from pandemic lows,” he had stated.
The department reports that more than 8 million domestic tourists visited Goa in 2023.
Additionally, the spokeswoman dismissed similarities between Goa and Sri Lanka, stating that they might provide an erroneous impression.
