Rethinking Sustainability In Goa’S Tourism Sector

This study examines sustainable tourism development in Goa, India, by analyzing the perceptions, behaviours, and expectations of 320 tourists and 60 local residents. As a top tourist destination, Goa faces environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and community displacement. Using a mixed-methods approach and statistical tools such as t-tests, ANOVA, chi-square, correlation, and regression, the study tests five hypotheses. Findings show that socio-demographic factors like age, gender, income, and education significantly influence tourists’ sustainability perceptions. Tourist satisfaction and awareness are strong predictors of support for sustainable practices, while residents’ concerns about environmental and cultural impacts drive their support for sustainable planning. A significant gap between tourists' expectations and actual sustainability experiences highlights implementation challenges. Notably, international tourists exhibit stronger sustainability support than domestic visitors. This research contributes empirical insights into stakeholder perspectives on sustainability in a region often overlooked in existing literature. It offers actionable recommendations, including enhancing awareness, investing in eco-infrastructure, promoting hinterland and heritage tourism, and strengthening community engagement. By aligning stakeholder views with sustainability frameworks, the study supports the development of a more inclusive and resilient tourism model for Goa.