28.5 lakh visitors in Jan to March but arrivals dip due to global turmoil

Panaji: State recorded 28.5 lakh tourists between Jan and March, with events continuing to drive arrivals, said the tourism department on Thursday. However, the war in West Asia has taken a toll on the industry, with hotels and travel agents seeing a decline in arrivals.The department said that the India Energy Week, which brought more than 75,000 delegates and participants from 120-plus countries, helped keep occupancy levels and revenue high. Sporting events, festivals and weddings also supported demand, the department said.Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said that maintaining the tourism performance at near-record levels in the first quarter of 2026 is a clear indicator of Goa’s strength as a destination.“What is particularly encouraging is the quality of growth we are seeing. Large-scale global events, along with the continued rise of destination weddings and strong domestic travel demand, are helping us build a more stable tourism ecosystem,” said Khaunte.In the first quarter of 2026, Goa played host to large-scale business events, World Legends Pro T20 League and festivals such as Carnival and Shigmo.The department said that in Jan and Feb, tourist inflows remained stable, maintaining the high base set last year.

“March saw a marginal decline, primarily influenced by international factors. Foreign arrivals were impacted by global developments, including the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has led to higher fuel costs and affected aviation economics,” said tourism director Kedar Naik.Charter operations, now consolidated through Manohar International Airport in Mopa, saw some moderation in line with a broader global shift away from group travel, the department said.

However, core markets, including the UK, Russia and Kazakhstan, continued to show steady demand.The hospitality sector has also seen a shift in travel patterns. “There is a clear move towards more personalised and experience-led travel, aligning with Goa’s focus on higher-value tourism. The cruise segment is showing early signs of recovery, indicating renewed interest in alternative travel formats,” an official said.Khaunte said that the momentum reflects the state’s position as a year-round destination. “Domestic connectivity has played a critical role in driving tourism this quarter. The expansion of direct flight routes linking Goa with cities across India has made the destination more accessible than ever, resulting in a significant surge in domestic visitor flows,” said Naik.