Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Sep 3: The Goa government has said the volume of negative comments about the state on social media and other digital platforms has declined significantly, while maintaining that tourist feedback and online sentiment are being continuously monitored.

The tourism industry in Goa has faced criticism in recent years from social media influencers over several issues, including concerns about law and order, taxi services and other aspects of the tourism sector.

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte made the statement in a written reply to an unstarred question raised by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral during the ongoing monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.

Khaunte said the Tourism Department regularly monitors public feedback on digital platforms to assess visitor sentiment. However, he clarified that the government had not undertaken any categorisation of the major complaints received from tourists over the past three years.

According to the minister, concerns relating to taxi fares, tourist harassment, touts, cleanliness, traffic congestion, public conveniences, beach conditions, safety and tourist services are addressed periodically in coordination with other departments, including the Transport Department and police.

Khaunte said the government’s efforts to address negative perceptions of Goa were not based on any single study. Instead, the Tourism Department relies on continuous assessment of tourist feedback, stakeholder inputs, tourism statistics, media reports and trends across social and digital media.

The department’s internal public relations mechanism regularly tracks online conversations surrounding Goa Tourism, including recurring concerns, positive and negative mentions, engagement patterns and perceptions emerging in the public domain.

The government also has mechanisms in place to receive feedback, suggestions, complaints and queries from tourists.

Based on these assessments, the department is using digital platforms to provide factual information and promote Goa’s diverse tourism offerings beyond its beaches. This includes efforts to highlight responsible, experiential and other forms of tourism.

Khaunte said no separate expenditure had been incurred for these initiatives, with the department largely relying on existing organic digital and social-media channels and collaborations with stakeholders, influencers and content creators.

On the proposal to establish a permanent Tourist Experience and Reputation Monitoring Cell, the minister said the matter was currently “under process”.