Russians top list of foreign tourists to Goa

Russians topped the list of foreign tourists to Goa in 2014.

According to statistics published in the Economic Survey of Goa 2014-15, tourists from Britain formed the second biggest contingent of tourists to the beach state.

While 1,89,486 Russians landed in Goa in 2014, Britain accounted for 1,29,901 followed by Germans (33,942).

According to the report, over 5.1 lakh tourists from nearly 30 countries landed in Goa in 2014.

Goa's tryst with Russian tourists started in 2003 when the first charter flight from Russia flew into the state known as one of best beach tourism destinations in the country.

Goa's conventional tourist season starts in October and winds up in March when the mild winter sun works as a good break for travellers from Russia, Britain and Germany from their own harsh winter.

Three million tourists visit Goa annually, nearly half a million of which are foreigners.