Goa records 6.23% overall growth in the tourists arrival; Domestic Up 5.36%, International Up 29.33%

Goa's tourism sector is off to a strong start for the 2025–26 season, recording an impressive overall growth of 6.23% in tourist arrivals from January to September 2025 compared to the same period last year. Here's a quick breakdown of the numbers and key developments:

Growth Highlights
- Domestic Tourism: Up by 5.36%, rising from 69.24 lakh in 2024 to 72.96 lakh in 2025.
- International Tourism: Surged by 29.33%, increasing from 2.59 lakh to 3.36 lakh visitors.

International Expansion
- Goa welcomed 34 charter flights from Russia and Central Asia in October 2025 alone.
- TUI Airways (UK) is set to launch direct flights from Manchester and Gatwick, expecting 30,000–40,000 travelers.
- New target markets include Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland.

Monsoon Tourism & Sustainability
- For the first time, Goa saw growth during the monsoon months, thanks to year-round tourism initiatives.
- Emphasis on responsible tourism with early shack operations and timely permissions for watersports.
- 6 shack licenses were cancelled for sub-letting, reinforcing transparency.

Policy & Infrastructure Updates
- Upcoming policies: Aerosports Policy and Wellness Tourism Policy under the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative.
- Focus on eco-tourism, MICE, wedding, adventure, and women-led enterprises.
- Hotel registration and renewal processes are now fully online.

Empowering Locals
- Certified Tourism Facilitator Programme: 72 guides already operational.
- New photography registration system with mandatory ID cards.
- Exclusive scheme for Goan beach photographers to promote local entrepreneurship.

Central Government Support
- ₹472 crore sanctioned for major projects like Swadesh Darshan, Town Square, Unity Mall, and Digital Museum.

Future Vision
- Plans to develop a concert economy to boost tourism infrastructure and entertainment.

Goa's tourism story is evolving with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability—a promising sign for travelers and stakeholders alike.