Panaji, Jan 29 (IANS): Over 1.8 million domestic tourists visited the state from April to December 2012, Goa's tourism ministry said Tuesday.
In a written reply tabled during the first assembly session of 2013, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said that 18,35,268 domestic tourists visited Goa, apart from the 2,74,468 foreign tourists who landed in the state to enjoy its beaches and night-life.
Parulekar also said that tourist cottages and accommodation offered by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), a corporation which functions under the state tourism ministry, were only 50 percent occupied during the same period.
"Out of 1,42,450 vacant rooms available during April to December 2012, only 71,838 were occupied," Parulekar said.