Goa Tourism Faces Decline Amid Taxi Mafia and High Costs

Tourists are increasingly opting for South East Asian destinations due to Goa's transportation issues and inflated prices.

Social media users have criticized Goa's 'taxi mafia' for intimidating behavior and high fares, deterring tourists.
Foreign tourist numbers in Goa have dropped significantly, from 8.5 million in 2019 to 1.5 million in 2023, according to CEIC data.
High accommodation and transportation costs are pushing tourists to choose cheaper international destinations like Thailand and Sri Lanka.
The lack of ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber, due to opposition from local taxi unions, exacerbates transportation issues.
Global conflicts, such as those involving Russia and Israel, have reduced charter flights to Goa, impacting foreign tourist arrivals.