Goa recorded 2.7 mn arrivals last year

About 450,000 foreign travellers made their way to the state last year, registering a flat growth of 1.1% vs 445,000 foreign travellers recorded previous year

The land of sun, sand and beach, Goa, witnessed arrivals of 2.78 million tourists in the state last financial year, a growth of 4.1% as against 2.67 million tourists arrivals recorded in the previous year.

As per data provided by the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, about 450,000 foreign travellers made their way to the state last year, registering a flat growth of 1.1% as compared to 445,000 foreign travellers recorded the previous year.

Goa also witnessed an increase in arrival of chartered flights. According to Goa Tourism Department statistics, 987 chartered flights carrying 215,000 tourist landed in Goa as against 910 flights with 169,000 tourists in 2011-12 from nine international destinations that landed in Goa during October 2012 to mid-May 2013.

Russia led the chartered flights count with 742 flights followed by 152 chartered flights from United Kingdom.

Similarly, the number of cruise ship arrivals in Goa has also seen an increase with 25 vessels carrying 22,233 passengers in 2012-13, as against 20 vessels carrying 11,946 passengers in 2010-11.

Dilip Parulekar, Tourism Minister, Government of Goa, said, "We are delighted to see the upswing in the arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists, which touched an all-time high. Goa has emerged as a preferred destination for MICE, weddings and also leisure. Positive steps have been taken by the Goa Government such as introduction of water sports policy, security force on Goan beaches, improvement of tourism infrastructure, marketing and promotional efforts, etc. which have paid off good dividends."

"However, for a sustained inflow, there is always a scope for improvement, and we are working hard to further the cause of tourists comfort in Goa. We are having a new outlook towards renew surge in the tourism industry during the current year", added Parulekar.