Goa is experiencing a surprising boom in off-season tourism, even as peak season travel struggles due to rising airfare costs. While more tourists are heading to Goa between June and September, the state’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has raised concerns about exorbitant ticket prices during the peak months of November to February. Round-trip fares from Delhi to Goa often double from INR 8,000 to over INR 16,000 during this time, prompting potential domestic travellers to consider cheaper international destinations like Sri Lanka instead.
Despite these challenges, Goa saw a strong 9% overall increase in tourist arrivals between January and May 2025. Over 43 lakh domestic travellers and 2.45 lakh international tourists visited the state during this period, with the latter figure representing a massive 47.5% jump from 2024. Hotels across the state are reporting 80–90% occupancy even in the off-season, reflecting Goa’s growing appeal beyond the traditional tourist months.
To support the industry, the Goa government has introduced several initiatives. The villa registration process has been streamlined, requiring only five online approvals. Additionally, safety for women has been enhanced through the deployment of the Pink Force—an all-women rapid response team that promises arrival within five minutes when called.
Further measures include a ban on dance bars, regulation of casinos, and a INR 400 crore allocation for solid waste management. With a focus on cleaner, safer, and more regulated tourism, Goa is working to balance rising demand with sustainable growth, even as it looks to the Centre for relief on peak season airfares.
