Goa says bye bye to bikini babes

The Goa tourism department has decided to censor all advertisements showing "bikini babes" as part of its fight against the growing image of the state as a sex-tourism destination. "Goa is a family holiday destination and not a sex tourism destination. We will make sure that bikini babes do not symbolise Goa tourism in future," tourism minister Fransisco Pacheco said on Thursday.

He said the tourism department would ask all empanelled advertisement agencies to desist from using scantily-clad women in their campaigns. "The department has already stopped such ads but I will make sure that henceforth all advertisements are scrutinised by the department before being sent for printing," Pacheco said. He said he would also ask all tour operators, including private players, to follow the guidelines for advertisements to help improve the state's image.