Porvorim: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday stated that the false propaganda being spread through social media by some elements has been successfully exposed with genuine data about tourist arrivals in the coastal state.
Talking to reporters at Mantralaya in Porvorim, Khaunte said there was an attempt to create false propaganda claiming that tourism is on the decline in the state. “We have successfully exposed the propaganda by providing supporting figures for the arrival of tourists in the state,” he said.
The minister mentioned that these figures were earlier tabled on the floor of the House during the Assembly session. He added that the tourism department had also detailed the efforts made to restore the number of tourists post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Several national websites had carried news stories claiming that Goa’s tourism is in decline.
Khaunte pointed out that the state tourism department had also filed a complaint against a social media account for faking the figures about tourism footfalls in the state.
Speaking further, Khaunte said that some politicians from the state, including South Goa MP (Capt. Viriato Fernandes), have been acting irresponsibly when it comes to tourism.
“South Goa MP (Fernandes) suddenly got up and made an unwarranted statement about tourism. Though I don’t have much expectation from him, people holding responsible positions should make mature and responsible statements about tourism,” he said, without elaborating on the statement.
“They themselves are killing the goose,” he added.
Khaunte said that the tourism department is carrying forward the legacy that has been passed on to it in a “very positive way.”
“There are challenges before us, but we are sure that we will overcome them,” he said.
Khaunte remarked, “Unnecessarily, some people make statements just to get TRP.”
“Those people have become social media politicians. I think they should know that when it comes to Goa, we should be united,” he added.
