The number of international tourists in Goa has decreased, BJP MLA said- Idli-Sambhar is responsible for this:

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Michael Lobo on Thursday claimed that the sale of idli-sambar on the beach is the reason behind a "decrease" in the number of international tourists in Goa. Addressing a press conference in Calangute in North Goa, Lobo said the government alone cannot be blamed if fewer foreigners are visiting Goa as all stakeholders are equally responsible. Lobo regretted that Goans have rented out their beach shacks to traders from other places.

What did the BJP MLA say?

"Some people from Bengaluru are serving 'vada pav' in shanties, some are selling 'idli-sambar'. (Therefore) international tourism in the state is declining for the last two years," he said. The MLA, however, did not elaborate how the popular south Indian cuisine was affecting tourism in his state. "There is hue and cry over the fall in the number of tourists. There has been a sharp fall in the arrival of foreign tourists in the coastal belt, be it north or south. There are many factors responsible for this," Lobo said. He said everyone should take responsibility as stakeholders.

BJP MLA warned

Lobo said that every year some foreigners visit Goa, but young tourists from abroad are staying away from the state. "The tourism department and other stakeholders should hold a joint meeting and study the reasons why foreign tourists are not willing to come to Goa," he said. Lobo said that Russian and Ukrainian tourists have stopped coming to Goa due to the war. "Tourists from former Soviet Union countries have stopped coming to Goa," he said. The MLA said that the state should resolve important issues related to tourism. He warned, "If we do not make any arrangements, the tourism sector will see bad days."