Panaji (PTI): The tourism industry in Goa is dogged by the fear of losing business following wide publicity of the British teen death case, state Tourism Minister Fransisco Pacheco said on Monday.

"I am getting so many calls from places like Germany, UK and other places. They are apprehensive about coming to Goa following such cases," Pacheco told newspersons.

"This case has sent a wrong signal internationally. We will have to protect our image as a safe tourist destination through various travel marts, which we represent," he said.

Pacheco, a NCP legislator, said that so far there are no cancellations but the impact on the tourism industry would be visible only after few days. "It's only due to negligence of a few police officers that the case has been blown out of proportion," he alleged.

British national Scarlett Eden Keeling, was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18. The state police initially had passed on this case as a death due to drowning but later began investigating it as a murder following the second autopsy on her body.

Scarlett's family had alleged foul play in her death and her mother Fiona Mackowen, has been fighting for "justice to Scarlett".

Conceding that drug cartels are increasing their presence in the state, the minister said that the coastal belts of Anjuna, Baga, Vagator, Palolem, Calangute and others have become a safe destination for these peddlars.