NDTV

Panaji, Mar 15: Soaking in the sun and surfing in the sea form the basic constituents of an image of Goa that attracts tourists year after year.

The Scarlett Keeling murder case may have shattered that very image. But for foreign tourists who are already in Goa, has the perception of Goa as a tourist haven changed?

''All the people here are lovely, very polite and nice. I feel safer here than I feel back home,'' said James, British tourist.

''We feel very safe but this incident has made us a little more wary,'' said Jo Jo, British tourist.

''Nothing happens in Goa, it is safer than my country,'' asserts another Spanish couple.

The recent spate of unfortunate incidents has shaken but failed to defeat the essential spirit of the tourists visiting Goa.

''What happened is very unfortunate, but I guess it can happen anywhere in the world. I hope this doesn't tarnish the reputation of Goa because it is a lovely place. I see this as an isolated incident,'' said Karl, Swedish tourist.

Anjuna Beach, where Scarlett's body was found is famous among foreign tourists for easy drug availability and also finds a mention in many informal tourist guides.

''I wouldn't say it is widespread but if we want it, we know where to get it,'' said a Danish tourist.

Perhaps the maximum effect of Scarlett's death is being felt by the Louis shack, where the incident took place on that fateful night.