gramps and other cynics out there -
i agree with the sentiment of what you're saying, but jesus, i can't believe i'm reading this....haven't checked HT for a while (been using goa as a base to visit other places in india since end of november).

NEWS ALERT
=========
wake up and smell the coffee, everywhere in the world changes !!!!!!
- the area you live in
- your local shops
- the price you pay for a loaf of bread, a pint in the pub...everything !
- and yes, even where you go on holiday

i think it's called evolution. a shame it's changing, but nothing you or i can do about it.

misterc.

I think what makes the Goa forum different from others is that it is almost like an expats one So many people have spent so much of their time out there.They see things changing and sometimes not for the better and are concerned about it. From what i can see the real problem is not the poor holiday maker - it is those who should be in charge. Its not the holidaymakers fault that there is development beyond the capabilites of the infrastructure.
I don't think that just because you want to drink bacardi breezers and buy jewellery that makes you a bad tourist. If it does, then I'm lost Hand on heart, how many of the ones bemoaning the changes have not bought jewellery?? As for Sunday roasts- I am at a loss because I do not see threads devoted to that. And as for fights in the Sports Bar- I didn't realise they were a frequent occurence.I do see pages of threads where people love Goa and their people and culture.
There are places that I like to go which have resorts I would avoid like the plague but I do have a wonderful time in the smaller resorts I go to instead. Same must go for Goa. Give me one place on the tourist map( which is cheap to get to) which does not have the rowdy, embarrassing tourist you are ashamed of. Goa has its faults- everywhere has.
For those who have been to Goa for years- I do understand how worrying you find the changes. I'm not sure that lamenting about the tourists is the way forward. Have you written into the local papers for instance? Have you spoken with officialdom? I'm not sure what influence we can have on another country. Best way is probably to boycott it.If you have taken any action beyond this forum- what have you done? Others may want to do the same.
We used to like a small place in Zante years ago and went every year. But we watched the local tavernas changing, the full English breakfasts being offered by more and more, the karaoke bars, the local houses being demolished.... Loved by some but hated by us. Rather than spending the next few years getting more and more depressed we moved on.
There are more and more threads nowadays in the India forum - perhaps from those who want to move on from Goa. Have you thought of looking elsewhere? You might find the old Goa again

When I started this thread it was simply pointing out that the new tourists seem to be going to Goa for different reasons than those previously and Vegasomes post would seem to confirm this. At no time was I aware of suggesting that the new tourists stay away, but it would seem that anyone who mentions this subject will quickly get the standard response that if you dont like what we are doing to the place, move on. I,ve been visitig India for fifty years now now and must decline that suggestion, Ive booked for a couple of visits next season and will watch with interest what direction Goa will take, I've a sneaky suspicion that the bubble is about to burst as the rising prices may start to put more and more people off it, as it become less and less a cheapie destination. Alan

If we all liked the same thing what a boring world it would be......
enough said!!!
Alan

Gramps would love to hear of your experiences in India over the years - could you do a very elongated trip report - seriously would be fantastic to read about the India you have known and loved over many years
Carolx

changes!? I live in a small nordic country as goa is small southern country. i see that money rules with decision makers, every day. fields are filled with small cottages and forest around the capital of the country cut. private houses, built with hurry pop up in no time. you ask, do I like it? no, I do not. I do not like the skyscrapers close to the old town and trash food sold in schools. i do not like inviting lights of casinos side by side with kindergartens. what can i do? I can vote for the right people during elections to understand in a while that they were not the right ones. you ask do I want to go back 20 years to the "standstill economy" - no I do not! we try to influence - I must confess, sometimes it seems desperate. majority of us loves our country and we do not let the things go just like that.
I see same going on in goa. reading the newspapers and webpages describing the situation and trends, I feel warmth. there are people who understand what must be done. I think it is tricky, as it is everywhere, to let common sense rule. I feel sympathy towards these people and that's one more reason to like them. in the same time - have you asked the people of goa- do you want to go back? I believe I know the answer.
in estonia they say: shorter you say it, better it is. so, it was told from the point of view of the member of the small nation (btw. exactly matching the population of goa -1,4 million)
elephant

We have just got back from our holiday in beautiful Goa and even after over 10 years of going to our 2nd home still love it despite all the changes and some of the people who now go the shack we use is owned by Goans and run by locals and out of towners who are all wonderful and who now are our friends we keep in touch with them all year and they let us know when babies are born,weddings and such like so we now ignore the ignorant people who ignore the culture and are turning Goa into Ibiza

Hi Kay, nice to see your here

Hi roxey thought i would join and see whats what