Goa to undergo INR 350 Cr tourism transformation
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte-2
Goa records 8.4% YoY with 5.45 million tourist arrivals including 5.18 million domestic and 0.27 million international tourists from January to June 2025.
Goa is set for a transformation in its tourism sector with INR 350 crore worth of development projects underway, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte announced in the State Legislative Assembly. Responding to the demands for grants for the Department of Tourism, the Minister presented a comprehensive vision for tourism that aims to boost infrastructure, expand international connectivity, and promote Goa beyond its beaches.
Minister Khaunte revealed that from January to June 2025, Goa recorded 5.45 million tourist arrivals — including 5.18 million domestic and 0.27 million international tourists — reflecting an 8.4% year-on-year growth. In June alone, tourist arrivals reached 8.34 lakh, boosted by cultural events such as the São João celebrations, forest stay experiences, and creek tours. Hotel occupancy during the first half of the year ranged between 70% to 100%, underscoring high tourism demand.
The Minister dismissed claims of a drop in tourism, presenting official figures to show that Goa has surpassed its pre-COVID numbers. In 2019, Goa welcomed 8.06 million tourists. In 2024, the number rose to 10.4 million, including nearly 9.94 million domestic tourists and over 4.67 lakh international visitors — marking a 39.5% rise in domestic and 50% growth in international tourism compared to pre-COVID levels.
He confirmed that direct flights between Goa and Gatwick (UK) will resume by the end of September. Starting October 5, Aeroflot will launch three weekly flights from Yekaterinburg, Russia to Goa’s Mopa Airport, with 210 passengers per flight, expected to bring over 13,000 plus Russian tourists this season. New air links with countries like Poland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan are also contributing to the rise in international visitors. Goa is actively participating in global roadshows and tourism promotions, including the Prime Minister’s ‘Chalo India’ campaign.
According to the officials’ the state has become the first in India to adopt regenerative tourism under the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative. In terms of tourism infrastructure, Goa is benefiting from Central Government schemes like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. Two key projects – the Unity Mall in Chimbel with INR161 crore sanctioned, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum in Ponda with INR125 crore allocated (INR98 crore from the Centre) – are set to enhance the state’s cultural offerings. Work on the Unity Mall has already begun, with final design drawings due by July 31.
Minister Khaunte also announced that the World Tourism Day celebrations in September will be extended into a month-long festival, transforming the monsoon season into an engaging and inclusive tourism experience. Events will be hosted across the state under the banner of World Tourism Month. The 2025 São João festival in Siolim attracted around 10,000 attendees and 4.4 million online impressions, while the third edition of Chikhal Kalo in Marcel saw over 9,000 visitors.
To improve tourist experience and safety, the state has launched initiatives like the 1364 tourist helpline, the Beach Vigil App, and deployed lifeguards and coastal police. Minister Khaunte noted that hotel occupancy data is being collected through the Tourism Information Management Enterprise (TIME) system, which currently covers 25% of registered units, with plans for full implementation.
“Tourism in Goa is moving in the right direction,” he said, underlining the role of the “Double Engine Sarkar” — the joint efforts of the state and central governments — in delivering INR350 crore worth of transformative tourism projects.
