Dismisses claims of decline in visitors, says arrivals crossed 54 lakh in six months
Special Correspondent
Panaji: Goa recorded 54,55,091 tourist arrivals—including 51,83,932 domestic and 2,71,159 foreign tourists—in the first six months of 2025, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte told the House on Thursday, even as he assured that the government would request the Centre to extend visa-on-arrival facilities to Goa to further boost international footfall.
“The e-visa programme is presently initiated with 170 countries and visa-on-arrival is currently available at the select metro airports,” Khaunte said, adding that the state government is considering taking a delegation of coastal MLAs to Delhi to follow up on the matter.
The statement came
amid criticism from Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who alleged a decline in tourist footfall over the last five years and dismissed 2020 tourism data as misleading due to COVID travel restrictions.
He also accused the government of lacking the will to address tourism stakeholders’ issues.
Khaunte refuted the allegations and said tourist arrivals have been consistently rising.
“Goa has been a preferred tourist destination, and during the past three years, various initiatives have been undertaken to ensure the growth of tourism,” he said.
He contrasted Goa’s recovery with that of Kerala, stating that while Kerala is yet to bounce back from COVID setbacks, Goa has already pulled through.
The minister said hotel occupancy over the past six months ranged between 70 per cent and 100 per cent, with international charters from Kazakhstan, Poland, and Uzbekistan resuming operations due to focused roadshows and promotions.
He also criticised paid influencers who, he alleged, spread negativity about Goa’s tourism sector while not being based in the state.
“They make videos and statements to show a decline in tourism while sitting outside the state,” Khaunte said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao questioned the delay in sharing precise foreign tourist data, and asked why the department had not written to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Khaunte replied that the request had already been made and that data integration would happen shortly.
The minister informed the House that the Tourism Information Management Enterprise (TIME) software is now being used to collect tourist data from hotels, enabling real-time tracking and insights.
He further stated that the Goa Tourism Trade Act would be amended to curb illegalities in the sector.
Independent Bicholim MLA Dr Chandrakant Shetye sought country-wise foreign tourist data to assess the impact of international promotion campaigns.
Khaunte said such data would be made available and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency.
