Goa Govt to Act Against Tourists Harassing Foreign Visitors for Selfies on Beaches

Panaji, 11th March 2026: The Goa government will take strict action against individuals who harass foreign tourists on beaches by insisting on selfies or behaving inappropriately, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Tuesday.

The minister was responding to a concern raised during a discussion in the state assembly regarding incidents where international visitors were reportedly disturbed by groups seeking selfies and attention on popular beaches.

Khaunte said the government has taken note of the issue and will ensure that such behaviour is curbed. “We have acknowledged the concern raised by the member and the government is committed to addressing it,” he said.

According to the minister, the increasing influence of social media has created a perception among some young visitors that anything is acceptable in Goa. “There is a mindset among certain tourists that in Goa ‘anything goes’. The government wants to make it clear that such conduct will not be tolerated,” Khaunte said.

He added that authorities have observed a growing trend in which groups approach foreign tourists on beaches, attempt to take selfies with them, and sometimes end up causing discomfort. “These actions may seem harmless to some, but they can create an unpleasant experience for visitors and must be discouraged,” he said.

Khaunte also informed the House that he has discussed the issue with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and the government has begun strengthening enforcement measures at beach locations.

“As part of the response, we are increasing vigilance on beaches by deploying additional personnel from the Tourism Police Unit in coordination with local police stations,” the minister said.

He added that enforcement agencies have already begun taking action in cases where complaints are received. “Wherever required, we are making arrests and ensuring that such behaviour is dealt with firmly,” Khaunte said.

The minister stressed that Goa’s reputation as a safe and welcoming tourist destination must be protected. “A few irresponsible acts should not damage the image of the state. We are determined to maintain discipline and ensure visitors feel secure,” he said.

Khaunte further said the government has also requested an increase in the number of women police personnel deployed through the Tourism Police Unit to strengthen safety monitoring at beach destinations.