March 14, 2016 TnH Global

Tourist arrivals to Goa cross the five million mark in 2015

Overall increase in arrivals by 30.54 per cent in 2015, increase in arrivals during the monsoons 2015 by 22 per cent

There was no drop in foreign tourist arrivals in 2015 indicates data released by the Department of Tourism, Govt.of Goa. While the State has recorded an overall 30.54 per cent increase in tourist arrivals for 2015, domestic tourist arrivals were up by 34 percent and foreign tourist arrivals up by 5.4 per cent.

A total of 52,97,902 tourists visited Goa in 2015 which includes 47,56,422 domestic tourists and 5,41,480 foreign tourists. Tourist arrivals during the monsoons (June, July and August 2015) recorded a 22 per cent increase as against an 18 per cent increase in 2014.

Goa Tourism also has reasons to cheer as foreign tourist arrivals from UK, Russia, UAE, USA, Portugal, South Africa and many others have shown an increase in arrivals to the State despite continued recession and crises’ that hit the European regions.

The ETV regime introduced by the Central government in December 2014 has also facilitated easy access of foreign tourists to Goa. Within a year (Till December 31, 2015) a total of 49,626 ETVs were issued to foreign tourists.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Mr. Dilip Parulekar said, “We are extremely delighted to know that despite various negative geo-political situations across the globe these have not hit Goa Tourism in any way. We have received a good response from foreign and domestic tourists in 2015 as in the past. Our new initiatives, marketing and promoting is showing substantial results and we are optimistic that tourists will choose Goa as their destination for holidaying.”