BJP MLA Michael Lobo reacts to his alleged remarks

Calangute: In response to his reported comments that “Idli-Sambhar” sold in beach shacks is one factor contributing to Goa’s tourist slump, BJP MLA Michael Lobo has responded. According to MLA Lobo, he never advocated against eating idli sambahar in Goa.

Traditional Goan residents are granted access to the beach shacks that are located on Goa’s beaches. The purpose of the beach shacks is to display the Goan food and seafood that is available for purchase. Non-Goans are not permitted to rent or sublet the beach shacks in order to establish a company. On Friday, he told ANI, “They can put it up above the beach or on the other side of the road.”

He also voiced worries about the drop in international travel to Goa, blaming it on a number of causes, such as bad press and a lack of engagement from social media influencers.

In an interview with ANI, Lobo urged the government, the tourist department, and all parties involved to work together to resolve the problem and revive the state’s travel and tourism sectors.

“The number of international visitors to Goa has drastically decreased in recent years… Stakeholders are also accountable for this deterioration, I said during a news conference yesterday. Goa tourism has received a lot of bad press during the last four months. Goa has not attracted the attention of social media influencers. Corrective action must be taken by the government, the tourism department, chief minister Pramod Sawant, and all other interested parties, Lobo said.

In order to boost Goa’s beach tourism, which he feels has been severely impacted in recent months, Lobo underlined the need for remedial action.

“As an MLA for the coastal belt, I see this degradation every day… To restore Goa’s beach tourism industry to its former splendor, all parties involved must take responsibility, the BJP MLA said.

Goa tourist Minister Rohan Khaunte vehemently refuted reports of a downturn in the nation’s tourist sector on January 13, pointing to solid growth figures to support his position.

His goal is to “put a plug on the story of Goa’s travel decline.” He said that Goa’s tourist business would continue to flourish.

Speaking at the Goa Tourism Stakeholder Conclave, Khaunte said that total foot traffic in the state increased by 21% in 2024, with growth from December to December exceeding 2023 by 54%.

“We had a continuous attack in the last quarter,” Khaunte remarked in response to social media comments about the drop in Goa tourists. We had to choose in December whether to oppose it or to discuss it when the data were in. We made the decision to wait after taking to CM and board numbers. According to the calculations, we have sailed comfortably.” He also pointed out that a “record” of 200 flights per day was set during the last week of December 2024.