Goa tourism dept files complaint against an entrepreneur for his X post on Goa tourism
Deputy director of tourism Rajesh Kale filed a complaint with Superintendent of Police of the cyber crime police station in Panaji
New Delhi, November 9
The Goa government’s tourism department has filed a police complaint against an entrepreneur, whose post on X about the state of tourism in Goa that has allegedly led to various discussions on social media about he state of Goa tourism.
Deputy director of tourism Rajesh Kale filed a complaint with Superintendent of Police of the cyber crime police station in Panaji.
The post Kale refers to reads: “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. Indian tourists still visiting, but soon likely to ditch it as word spreads about exploitation of tourists while there are so many cheaper comparable locations abroad.” Alongside was a chart that suggested foreign tourists to Goa were dwindling.
In the complaint, Kale wrote, “Goa has long been recognised as a prominent tourism destination for both domestic and international visitors. The propagation of such false statements not only jeopardises the reputation of our state but also poses a serious threat to public tranquillity. The Department of Tourism is particularly concerned that these actions may be part of a hidden agenda aimed at undermining Goa’s state image.”
The complaint states that the entrepreneur “referenced China Economic Information Center (CEIC) data in his post; however, the credibility of this data is questionable as he neither consulted with the Department of Tourism prior to posting nor validated the data he collected”.
“His false assumptions regarding future tourist footfalls in Goa further exacerbate the situation. The statements… appear to have the intent to cause public unrest and may induce individuals to commit offences against the State or against public tranquillity. The post in question has incited considerable provocation on social media platforms and has attracted various unscrupulous elements that threaten the peace and safety of our local community. It is evident that these actions constitute a breach of public peace and could severely damage Goa’s image as a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. In light of the serious nature of these allegations and their potential ramifications for Goa’s tourism sector, we urge your esteemed office to take immediate and appropriate legal action,” it further stated.
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