The party is over in Goa. At least for the British tourist. A wave of safety incidents, from moped scams to sexual assaults, has triggered a quiet exodus.
The numbers are stark. UK visitor figures to the Indian coastal state have dropped 12% year-on-year. Local hoteliers are panicking.
But in Whitehall, there is a different mood. A chance to redirect the sun-seeking Brit. The British travel industry sees opportunity.
Alternative destinations like Turkey and Greece are already ramping up marketing campaigns. The political calculation is delicate. The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice.
The red tape is tightening. But this is not just about safety. It is about perception.
The 'Goa brand' is tarnished. Once the backpacker's paradise, now a cautionary tale. The British travel operators are circling.
They smell blood. The government is watching. Will they intervene?
Not for a free market. But the Tories are angling for a 'holiday at home' push anyway. This exodus might help their domestic tourism agenda.
The real question is: will the British tourist bite? Data suggests yes. Bookings to Turkey are up 20%.
Greece up 15%. The shift is real. And Goa?
It is left nursing a hangover.
