Sun, Sand & Sky-High Fares: Can Goa’s Tourism Buzz Beat The Airfare Blues?

Last Updated:July 01, 2025, 14:40 IST

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is preparing to take the issue to the Centre, seeking intervention to cap or regulate fares during the most crucial tourism months

With a global spotlight on India and foreign interest growing, Goa is eager to keep its beaches open. (PTI)

Goa’s never-slowing crowd is back in full swing, but as the state rides the wave of a booming tourism season, there’s a storm brewing overhead—sky-high airfare.

This year, ticket prices to Goa during the peak season touched new heights—sometimes higher than international fares—worrying both travellers and the state government.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is preparing to take the issue to the Centre, seeking intervention to cap or regulate fares during the most crucial tourism months. In a move that reflects growing concern among stakeholders, the chief minister plans to formally write to the government to push for more affordable air travel to the beach state. “When domestic tickets cost more than a trip abroad, it starts hurting Goa’s core travel economy," Sawant told CNN-News18.

Despite the airfare worries, Goa is seeing impressive tourist turnout—even in the off-season. Monsoon in Goa has gone from being a ‘slow period’ to a magnet for travellers seeking lush greenery, peaceful beaches, and quieter stays.

In fact, hotel occupancy currently ranges between 80–90 per cent, and villas across the state are booked to full occupancy.

What’s changed? Quite a bit. The Goa government has overhauled how tourism properties are managed, with mandatory registration of all villas. There’s now a simplified single-window clearance system and only five permits are required to run a tourism unit. Online registration has been introduced to reduce red tape and keep middlemen out as part of a broader push to formalise the tourism economy and make the state more travel- and investor-friendly.

“Goa is also placing women’s safety at the front and centre. The innovative Pink Force, with female officers in pink uniforms, now responds to women’s distress calls within five minutes—a model many other states could take cues from," Sawant told CNN-News18.

In a bid to protect its environment, Goa has also restricted tourists from bringing camping or self-cooking gear across borders. It has also allocated Rs 400 crore for waste management and banned all dance bars state-wide. When it comes to gaming, the rules are clear—only six off-shore casinos are allowed, while others in five-star hotels are permitted mechanised games only. The government is now embracing cutting-edge tech, including Artificial Intelligence, to boost smart tourism and visitor experience.

As per official data, Goa saw a combined tourism growth of 8.65 per cent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs)

2024 (Jan–May): 40.68 lakh

2025 (Jan–May): 43.75 lakh

Growth: 7.57 per cent

April 2025 stood out with a 12.22 per cent jump, while May showed signs of saturation with only 0.76 per cent growth.

Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs)

2024 (Jan–May): 1.66 lakh

2025 (Jan–May): 2.45 lakh

Growth: 47.55 per cent

January 2025 saw an 83.25 per cent rise in international visitors, though the momentum slowed sharply by May.

With a global spotlight on India and foreign interest growing, Goa is eager to keep its beaches open, its economy buzzing, and its skies more affordable.

So, can cheaper air tickets become the next big tourism booster? That’s what the state hopes to achieve.

Location :

Goa, India, India

First Published:

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