Goa CM slams social media influencers over 'empty Goa' claims

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has firmly rejected claims by social media influencers that the state was "empty" this holiday season, asserting that "hotels are full" amid the usual surge of tourists during Christmas and New Year.

Sawant said there was a "wrong message" being spread about Goa.

“All the hotels here are full. Some influencers keep saying that tourists are not coming to Goa and are going to other places. They are doing the wrong thing by giving a wrong message about Goa to the people,” he said.

The "influencers" were invited by Sawant to tour the state's coastline locations.

“I also want to tell them to come and see the coastal sites themselves. Every road is full of vehicles; every beach is full,” he said.

“So many international tourists have come here. There is so much crowd on the road, and people are being welcomed warmly,” Sawant added.

He pointed out that December is still a "very important month" for the state.

“I welcome people from across the country. December is a very important month for Goa. As always, different festivals, from international festivals to Christmas and 31st December, are celebrated with great fanfare. November, December, and January will be filled with tourists,” Sawant remarked.

On Jan 2, Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte accused "paid influencers" of "defaming" the state.

“…to say that tourist numbers' have fallen and there are no tourists, and they have gone to Thailand or somewhere else, then I think it is a totally different way of marketing a different destination,” Khaunte said, adding that the government would “expose” the influencers.