A Digital Storytelling Journey into Goa's Tourism


Beyond the Beaches: A Digital Storytelling Journey into Goa’s Tourism

Introduction

Tourism is the heartbeat of Goa, bringing in visitors from all over the world. But behind the picture-perfect beaches and bustling nightlife lies a more complex reality.

What does tourism mean for the people who live and work here? How does it affect their livelihoods, safety, and the environment? That’s what our Digital Storytelling (DST) project set out to explore.

Our team—students with a passion for media—headed to Baga Beach to capture the real stories behind tourism. While my teammates focused on filming and interviews, my job was subtitling. It might sound simple, but I quickly realized that subtitles do more than just translate—they shape how people connect with a story.

What We Wanted to Find Out
• How does tourism impact local businesses and jobs?
• What challenges do lifeguards face in keeping the beaches safe?
• What’s the environmental cost of so many visitors?
• How can subtitles make a digital story more engaging and accessible?

Behind the Scenes: Our Experience

1. Baga Beach – The Good, The Bad, and The Crowded

The moment we arrived, Baga Beach was alive with energy—tourists trying water sports, vendors selling souvenirs, families relaxing in the sun. The cameras captured it all, from the laughter to the chaos.

Subtitling this part was a challenge. The fast pace of the footage meant I had to ensure the text was easy to read while keeping up with the visuals.

2. Lifeguards – The Unsung Heroes

One of the most eye-opening interviews was with the lifeguards. They spoke about their daily responsibilities, the risks they face, and how drunk or careless tourists often put themselves in danger.

Here, subtitles played a powerful role. A simple line like:
“Sometimes, they don’t listen. That’s when accidents happen.”
carried so much weight when timed correctly with their expressions and tone.

3. The Reality for Local Businesses

For many small business owners, tourism is a lifeline. But it’s not always smooth sailing. Some shack owners shared how they earn well during peak season but struggle during the off-season. Others mentioned how rising costs and competition make things tough.

This was one of the trickiest sections to subtitle because some people spoke in Konkani or Hindi. My job was to ensure the English subtitles captured the essence of their words without losing meaning.

4. The Environmental Price of Tourism

Not everything we saw was beautiful. Plastic bottles in the sand, overflowing trash bins, and vendors talking about the struggle to keep the beach clean.

For this part, I kept the subtitles simple and direct, letting the visuals and voices speak for themselves.

The Power of Subtitles

At first, I thought subtitles were just about making the video understandable. But by the end of the project, I realized they did much more:
• They made the documentary accessible to people who didn’t speak the local languages.
• They helped shape the tone—whether serious, emotional, or lighthearted.
• They added depth, ensuring no important details were lost.

What We Learned
• Tourism is a double-edged sword—it brings jobs and money but also creates challenges for locals.
• Lifeguards and small business owners are the backbone of tourist spots, yet their struggles often go unnoticed.
• The environment is paying the price for unchecked tourism, and change is needed.
• Digital storytelling isn’t just about filming—how you present the story, especially with subtitles, makes a huge difference.

Final Thoughts

This project was more than just an assignment—it was an experience. From the energy of Baga Beach to the heartfelt words of the people we interviewed, every moment added something valuable to our story.

And as for me? I’ll never look at subtitles the same way again.

⸻

Want to share your thoughts?

Drop a comment below! Have you ever thought about the impact of tourism beyond the beaches?

Melchior Mascarenhas 
2402054

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