Goa’s foreign tourist scene is stuck in the doldrums, with arrivals still reeling at less than half their pre-pandemic glory. In 2019, the state lured 937,000 overseas visitors, but 2023 clocked just 452,702—a 60% plunge, per Goa Tourism figures. By September 2024, 259,820 foreigners trickled in, projecting a modest 467,911 for the year, a 3% nudge from 2023 but a far cry from the old days. X posts blame overpriced hotels and restaurants, littered beaches, and a local “taxi mafia” for the exodus, with Russians and Brits now flocking elsewhere.

Meanwhile, domestic tourism’s to Goa is booming—8 million in 2023, soaring to 9.9 million in 2024—a 22% leap, cushioning the blow. But foreigners, prized for longer stays and bigger spends, are slipping away. Goa Tourism shrugs off wilder claims—like a drop from 8.5 million to 1.5 million—pegging historical foreign highs under a million.

Contrast this with Southeast Asia’s stars. Vietnam’s foreign arrivals rocketed from 3.6 million in 2022 to 12.6 million in 2023, hitting 15.5 million by November 2024—a 23% jump year-on-year, fueled by visa waivers and cheap beach vibes. Thailand, the regional king, welcomed 28 million in 2023, climbing to 34.5 million by December 2024, up 25%, with Phuket’s slick infrastructure trumping Goa’s potholes. Sri Lanka’s rebound is sharp—1.3 million in 2023 swelled to 1.8 million by November 2024, a 38% surge, with Indians leading the charge despite U.S. travel warnings.

Goa’s battling a perception crisis—high costs and shaky services—while rivals like Vietnam, Thailand, and Sri Lanka cash in on affordability and polish. Domestic crowds keep the lights on, but without a foreign revival, Goa’s golden era risks fading fast.