High airfares threaten Goa tourism: Pramod Sawant to write to Aviation Ministry

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is likely to raise the issue of rising airfares, especially during the peak tourism season, with the central government, sources said. He is expected to write to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to press for more affordable air travel options during high-demand months, as soaring ticket prices are reportedly affecting Goa's tourism economy despite steady growth.

According to sources, the Chief Minister is concerned that domestic airfares to Goa during peak seasons are sometimes higher than international flight tickets, which deters middle-income travellers and reduces the overall tourist influx. He will soon write a letter to the central ministry, requesting measures to make air travel to Goa more economical, especially during holiday and festival seasons when demand surges.

Despite these challenges, Goa’s tourism sector has shown encouraging signs of recovery and expansion. Even during the ongoing off-season and the rainy months, hotels across the state are bustling with guests. Present occupancy levels at several hotels are reported to be between 80 to 90 percent, a strong indicator of Goa’s year-round tourist appeal.

Statistical comparisons also support this positive trend. Between May of last year and May this year, Goa saw a 7 percent increase in domestic tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, foreign tourist footfall surged by an impressive 47.55 percent over the same period. Overall, the total number of tourists visiting the state grew by 8.65 percent compared to last year’s data.

The state government has also taken several proactive steps to streamline and boost tourism. All villas in the state have now been registered through a simplified single-window system, which requires only five clearances. The process has been integrated with the government’s official website to ensure ease of access and transparency for property owners and tourists alike.

Women’s safety continues to remain a priority for the Goa government. A special “Pink Force” unit, comprising women officers in pink uniforms, has been deployed to assist female tourists. This response team reportedly arrives within five minutes of a distress call, ensuring quick and reassuring assistance to women travellers.

To maintain environmental balance and protect the state’s natural resources, Goa has also introduced restrictions on tourists bringing camping gear and cooking equipment from other states. Such travellers are being stopped at the border and denied entry if they do not comply with state norms. This step has been taken to regulate unsupervised camping activities that often result in waste mismanagement.

On the waste management front, the Goa government has allocated 400 crore for comprehensive garbage treatment and disposal systems, aimed at maintaining the state’s ecological integrity amid the tourism boom.

Additionally, all dance bars across Goa have been banned. The state currently has six offshore casinos and several others operating within five-star hotels. However, only mechanised gaming is permitted in these facilities to ensure regulatory compliance and maintain a controlled tourism environment.

Efforts to promote tourism through advanced technologies are also underway. The state is looking to adopt modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence, to enhance its tourism offerings and ensure a safer, cleaner, and more efficient travel experience for visitors from across the globe.

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