Goa Tourism Department takes legal action over viral post claiming decline in foreign tourists

The Goa Tourism Department has filed a police complaint against entrepreneur Ramanuj Mukherjee, accusing him of sharing "false data" that could harm the state's tourism image.

Mukherjee, known for his educational platform, sparked controversy after a post on X (formerly Twitter) suggested that foreign tourists are now avoiding Goa.

The tourism department, represented by Deputy Director Rajesh Kale, claims Mukherjee's post has spread misleading information, potentially impacting local businesses and creating unnecessary public concern. According to the department, Mukherjee’s remarks could damage Goa's reputation as a tourist destination and harm the industry.

In his viral post, Mukherjee alleged that since 2019, the number of foreign visitors - particularly from Russia and the UK - has declined, with many tourists now choosing other destinations like Sri Lanka.

While Indian tourists still visit Goa, he suggested that they too may start exploring cheaper international alternatives due to rising prices and exploitation within the state’s tourism industry. Mukherjee cited data from the China Economic Information Center (CEIC) to back his statements, but the tourism department questioned the reliability of this source.

Mukherjee has since responded to the complaint, asserting that his post was based on available public data and criticizing the authorities’ actions as "intimidation tactics." He suggested that the department could have provided their own statistics if they disagreed with his claims, adding that he intends to handle the matter through legal channels.