Panaji, Sept 2 (PTI) The Goa government on Wednesday said the overall volume of negative comments about the state on social media and other digital platforms had reduced significantly, and acknowledged that it was continuously monitoring tourist feedback and online sentiment.
Over the past couple of years, the tourism industry in the coastal state has been receiving flak from social media influencers over various issues, including “deteriorating” law and order situation, “taxi mafia” and different aspects of tourism.
In a written reply to an unstarred question tabled by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral in the legislative assembly during ongoing monsoon session, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the tourism department monitors public feedback on digital platforms as part of its efforts to gauge visitor sentiment.
However, no categorisation of the major complaints made by tourists over the last three years had been undertaken, he said.
The minister said complaints related to issues, such as taxi fares, tourist harassment, touts, cleanliness, traffic congestion, public conveniences, beach conditions, safety and tourist services were being addressed from time to time in coordination with other departments, including transport and police departments.
The government’s initiatives to address negative perceptions of Goa were not based on any single standalone study, Khaunte said.
Instead, the department relied on continuous assessment of tourist feedback, stakeholder inputs, tourism statistics, media reports and digital and social-media trends.
Its internal public relations mechanism regularly monitors online conversations and sentiment relating to Goa Tourism, including recurring issues, positive and negative mentions, engagement trends and perceptions emerging in the public domain, he said.
The department also maintains mechanisms for receiving tourist feedback, suggestions, complaints and queries.
Based on these assessments, digital platforms are being used to disseminate factual information and promote Goa’s diverse tourism offerings beyond beaches, including responsible and experiential tourism, the minister said.
No separate expenditure had been incurred for the initiatives, with the department relying largely on existing organic digital and social-media channels as well as collaborations with stakeholders, influencers and content creators.
On a proposal to establish a permanent Tourist Experience and Reputation Monitoring Cell, Khaunte said the matter was “under process”. PTI RPS NP
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