Margao: The state government spent around Rs 25.81 crore on international tourism exhibitions, events and roadshows between 2024 and 2026, while festivals organised by the Department of Tourism during the period cost Rs 40.13 crore, information provided during the recent session of the Legislative Assembly showed.
The figures were provided in a written reply to a question by Fatorda GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the Rs 25.81 crore spent on international tourism exhibitions, events and roadshows included programmes in Spain, Austria, Portugal, Germany, the UAE, Singapore, the UK, Uzbekistan, Japan, Russia, South Korea and China.
Festivals on which the department spent included Shigmo, Carnival, Spirit of Goa, Heritage Festival, Sao Joao, Chikhal Kalo, Tripurari Poornima and Ramponkaranchem Fest, among others.
Asked whether any impact assessment or third-party evaluation had been carried out for the events and campaigns, Khaunte said, “Marketing activities proposals and post-event reports are discussed and deliberated before the Empowered Committee of Marketing and Public Relations for analysis and evaluation of the effectiveness of the event, assessment of the promotional outcomes achieved, and to review the overall impact and returns generated for Goa Tourism.”
Meanwhile, Goa received 1.02 crore domestic tourists and 5.17 lakh international tourists in 2025, the government said in the Assembly.
The information was provided in reply to a joint LAQ by Cuncolim Congress MLA Yuri Alemao, Quepem Congress MLA Altone D’Costa, Aldona Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira, St Andre RGP MLA Viresh Borkar, Velim AAP MLA Cruz Silva and Benaulim AAP MLA Venzy Viegas.
Till July this year, 59.01 lakh domestic tourists and 2.36 lakh international tourists had arrived in the state, according to the information provided in the Assembly. The average duration of stay was approximately nine days for international tourists and three to four days for domestic tourists.
Asked whether the government had a clear roadmap for the next five years, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said, “At present, Goa Tourism is focusing on the ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ approach and promotion of experiential, sustainable and diversified tourism, including eco and nature-based tourism, backwater and river tourism, heritage and cultural tourism, MICE tourism, adventure tourism, leisure and entertainment tourism, spiritual and wellness tourism, wellness tourism and sports tourism, with due emphasis on community participation and responsible tourism practices.”
