Mario Pimenta
As World Tourism Day is observed on September 27, the way people discover Goa is changing. Alongside traditional tourism campaigns and travel recommendations, social media has created a new way of experiencing the state. Local content creators are exploring Goa, documenting their journeys and sharing their experiences with audiences within and beyond the state.
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For many creators, it begins with curiosity. An unfamiliar village, a heritage site, a lesser-known destination can become a story worth sharing. Through Instagram reels, YouTube videos and other digital platforms, these personal journeys offer audiences a glimpse of Goa through a local lens. Goan creators cover travel, lifestyle, culture, entertainment and everyday experiences, often revealing aspects of the state that may be unfamiliar even to its own residents.
The Kurkurit Couple, Ruben Rodrigues, popularly known as Mr Kurkurit, and his fiancée Pearl Dias, known as Mini Kurkurit, are popular Goan content creators who share reels featuring food and travel destinations across Goa. Mr Kurkurit has received recognition for his work, including the Content Creator of the Year award. Together, they travel to different parts of Goa and share their journeys with their audience in an entertaining and relatable manner.
For Ruben, content creation stems from his love for exploring Goa and finding places he feels deserve attention. “We enjoy discovering food spots, local businesses, hidden gems and destinations and sharing these experiences with our audience,” says Ruben. Along with Mini Kurkurit, he documents their journeys beyond Goa’s familiar attractions.
One of the most rewarding aspects of his work is hearing from visitors from outside Goa who tell him that they visited a place after discovering it through his content. Ruben says, “Such responses give us a sense of responsibility towards our audience and motivates us to remain honest about the experiences we shares. The joy lies not only in exploring Goa but also in encouraging others to experience it for themselves, something I describe as the ‘Kurkurit Life.’”
Cayfel Hosea Almeida, also known as @cayfellll, is a micro-influencer, who creates reels centred on Goan lifestyle, travel and local experiences. A Mass Communication graduate from Curtorim, she is passionate about exploring new places and showcasing different aspects of Goa through her content. She was ranked third in the Goa Youth Creator Challenge.
Talking about why she started content creation, Cayfel says, “I just love exploring Goa because there’s always something new to find, even when you think you’ve seen it all. I love discovering small local spots, trying new food and finding places that aren’t always talked about. With my content, I basically just share these experiences the way I’d tell a friend about them: the food, the people, the place and all the little things that make it worth visiting. I want my content to feel real and make people want to go explore too.”
Another creator, Asmi Banaulikar (@asmiii_banaulikar_), is a food blogger from Mapusa known for her relatable storytelling and engaging reels. She has participated in several competitions and received recognition at both state and national levels. She says, “I started food blogging because I love trying new food and exploring different places. It feels really exciting to discover new locations, taste different food and share my experiences with others through my platform. It also feels great when people enjoy my recommendations and experiences. I also love it when people, whether I know them or not, tell me that they have seen me in reels and that I am doing a really good job.”
Ishra Mulla is a Goa-based travel and food creator behind @travellingfoodieishra, where she shares destinations, food and local experiences. Her love for exploration takes her beyond Goa’s popular tourist spots to heritage villages, local culture, trails and quieter parts of the state. For Ishra, the joy of travel comes from unexpected discoveries, meeting people, experiencing different ways of life and sharing these moments with her audience. Through her content, she hopes to encourage people to discover the lesser-seen side of Goa.
Ishra also believes that exploration needs to be balanced with responsibility. While tourism supports Goa’s communities and businesses, promoting relatively unknown places can sometimes lead to overcrowding and pressure on local environments. “Creators should consider the impact of their content, particularly when showcasing sensitive locations. Responsible travel means respecting communities, protecting the environment, following local rules and supporting businesses while encouraging people to explore thoughtfully,” says Ishra.
Content creation is not limited to showcasing destinations. Creators also entertain audiences and create moments that become part of the tourism experience itself. One growing format is vox pop content, in which creators approach people in public spaces with spontaneous, fun and engaging questions. The format captures genuine reactions while offering viewers a glimpse of the people who bring energy and personality to Goa.
Community Impact Creator Awardee Swanand Kulkarni (@swanand.unfiltered) is a young travel and vox pop creator whose content focuses on Goa, relationships and everyday life. Through his videos, Kulkarni interacts with tourists and locals, creating entertaining moments while highlighting the diverse personalities and experiences found across the state.
For Swanand, these interactions are also an opportunity to develop his communication skills. As an extrovert, he enjoys meeting new people, making them comfortable in front of the camera and allowing their natural personalities to come through. His content combines entertainment with a glimpse into Goa’s social and tourism landscape, while also helping him build his identity as a creator.
Goa’s tourism identity extends far beyond its beaches and nightlife. Its villages, heritage, traditions, festivals, landscapes and everyday life are equally part of its character. Local creators are documenting these experiences and presenting Goa not simply as a destination, but as a place to be explored and experienced. For visitors from outside the state, such content can provide a more personal introduction to Goa. For Goans, it can be an invitation to become tourists in their own home state and look at familiar surroundings with fresh curiosity.
