Drugs and sex killing tourism among Germans in Goa

Heaps of garbage, vociferous ambiance, sex and drugs in Goa are becoming a major concern among German visitors here, President of the Indo-German Friendship Society (IGFS) Goa Aurobindo Xavier said here on Saturday.

?Germans are very keen on environment and cleanliness. At the same time, sex, drugs and the noisy atmosphere is keeping them away from visiting Goa,? Xavier told reporters on the sidelines of a press briefing to announce its 3rd German Cultural week here.
The IGFS website, which is entirely in German language, has its motto as ?good-bye Goa? for the very reason that the internationally acclaimed tourist destination is covered with several unwanted happenings.

Goa being one of most-expensive tourist destinations is also playing a spoilsport as German travelers are now shifting to Thailand. ?For Germans, Goa is little expensive than Thailand. This is another reason, why the number of German visitors is deteriorating year-by-year,? he said.

Presently, Goa comprises of 6000 to 8000 German tourists, which declines to around 1000 during the off-season.

Goa has had trade links with Germany dating back to 16th Century when the first German ship to Goa opened up the trade between Germany and India.

They usually traded silk, spices and Arabian horses via Port ships and decades later introduced printing machines. History also mentions that three German trading ships sunk in Goan waters during World War II.

(Reporting by John Edwards)