Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 17: Goa's tourism sector has remained stable, with the state recording 59 lakh domestic tourists and 2.4 lakh international visitors between January and July, marking a marginal 0.08 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.
Tourist arrivals, however, showed slightly stronger growth in July, with 6.9 lakh visitors recorded during the month, an increase of 2.3 per cent compared to July 2025.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte described the July growth during the monsoon season as encouraging, while Tourism Director Kedar Naik said the figures indicated sustained demand even during what is traditionally considered Goa's off-peak period.
“The July figures are particularly significant as they point to continued demand during the monsoon, traditionally considered an off-peak period for Goa,” Naik said.
He said the state had been actively promoting monsoon tourism and experience-led travel, encouraging visitors to explore Goa's hinterland, culture, wellness, cuisine, nature and adventure offerings during the green season.
Goa is also stepping up efforts to expand its international tourism footprint by targeting both emerging and established source markets, while working to improve air connectivity and develop specialised tourism products.
“We are looking beyond numbers and working to diversify our offerings and our markets, strengthen international connectivity and build tourism products that can attract visitors across seasons,” Khaunte said.
“Our objective is not just to bring more tourists to Goa, but to bring the right audiences for the experiences Goa has to offer,” he added.
According to Khaunte, wellness, heritage, MICE, adventure, nautical tourism, spiritual tourism, gastronomy and workation are emerging as new attractions that can draw visitors beyond Goa's traditional beach tourism.
With 61.4 lakh visitors already recorded during the first seven months of the year, the Tourism Department expects the second half to receive a further boost from the festive season, leisure travel, MICE events and international charter arrivals.
Concord Exotic Voyages, one of Goa's longest-serving international charter operators, is expected to bring more than 45,000 international tourists during the 2026-27 season through charter operations from the CIS region.
Discussions are also underway to introduce new charter services from Belarus, Armenia, Moldova and Bishkek, further widening Goa's international tourism market.