Goa’s Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, announced that the state government is working on a new initiative to attract high-spending international tourists by offering incentives to airlines from select countries.
Speaking in the legislative assembly, Khaunte emphasised the need to adapt to changing tourism trends and promote Goa as more than just a beach destination.
The Minister highlighted the state’s efforts to enhance direct flight connectivity, stating that the government is prioritising Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) through airline incentive schemes. Goa, which operates two airports, is looking to strengthen its position as a global tourist hub by engaging with emerging markets beyond the UK and Russia, including Poland, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Khaunte also revealed that discussions are underway with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to explore an open sky policy, along with efforts to streamline the e-visa process in collaboration with the Central government.
In response to concerns about declining tourist numbers, the minister refuted such claims, citing data from October to December 2024, which showed 100% hotel occupancy. He noted a shift towards high-quality tourism, evidenced by increased room tariffs and booking rates. Domestic tourist arrivals grew by 22% year-on-year, while international arrivals saw a 3% rise.
Additionally, from April 1, all hotels and guest houses in Goa will be required to upload guest data into the TIME system, a move aimed at improving data collection and analysis. The minister stressed that this measure, requested by the industry for two years, would now become mandatory.
With a renewed focus on attracting premium travellers and diversifying its tourism offerings, Goa is positioning itself as a high-value destination on the global travel map.
