A complaint to the Panaji cyber crime police alleges a post spread false information, threatening the state’s reputation and community safety.
The Goa Tourism Department filed a police complaint against a social media user who claimed foreign tourists are avoiding the state.
A complaint to Panaji’s cyber crime police alleges a post spread “false data,” potentially harming Goa’s reputation and causing alarm.
The post, made by an entrepreneur with a following of around 22,500, stated, “Foreign tourists have abandoned [Goa] already. Look at 2019 v 2023 numbers. Russians and Brits who used to visit annually have opted for Sri Lanka instead.”
The complaint also suggested Indian tourists might avoid Goa due to perceived “exploitation” and rising costs, favoring cheaper international destinations.
According to Deputy Director of Tourism Rajesh Kale,
who filed the complaint, the post constitutes “public mischief” and spreads “false data.” Kale argued that the statements could cause “significant annoyance to local businesses” and potentially disturb public order.
The post featured a chart suggesting a decline in foreign visitors to Goa, which Kale called misleading and unsupported by official tourism data.
Kale’s complaint questions the use of unverified CEIC data, alleging the tourism department was not consulted before the post.
Kale stated the post’s false assumptions on tourist footfalls could exacerbate the situation and potentially incite public unrest.
The tourism department views the statements as a deliberate attempt to harm Goa’s image as a tourist-friendly destination.
Kale’s complaint expressed concern that the actions may be part of a hidden agenda to undermine Goa’s state image.
The department requested the cyber crime unit take immediate legal action to prevent damage to Goa’s reputation and economy.
A top CID official stated that those named in the enquiry acted in an “anti-CID” and “anti-government” manner, causing the food items to not reach the VVIPs.
The complaint follows Goa’s tourism department defending the sector against social media criticism over high prices and limited taxi, hotel options.
In response to comparisons with international destinations, Goa’s tourism department stated it remains a preferred spot for domestic and international visitors.
The statement emphasized that comparing Goa with Sri Lanka may provide an “inaccurate perspective” due to differing scales and governance models.
As Goa’s tourism industry enters its high season, the government’s response signals an increasing sensitivity to social media perceptions, which may impact both local sentiment and visitor trends, the report added.
