Panaji: Nearly 77 lakh tourists visited Goa between Jan and Sept, indicating that growth in arrivals remained largely flat ahead of the Oct-Dec tourism season. According to the tourism department’s statistics, the state saw a negligible 0.76% increase over the 76.3 lakh arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025.As expected, domestic tourist arrivals increased by 1.72%, rising from 72.9 lakh in Jan–Sept 2025 to 74.2 lakh during the same period in 2026. While the department views the 76.9 lakh tourist arrivals this year as resilience, the hospitality sector does not share the same enthusiasm.“The arrival figures provide valuable insights into the changing dynamics of Goa’s tourism sector. The growth in domestic visits demonstrates the continued appeal of Goa across different travel periods,” said tourism director Kedar Naik.The tourism department continues to work with airlines, tour operators, travel trade partners and industry stakeholders to strengthen connectivity, promote Goa and develop niche avenues for tourists. However, the broader sentiment among international tourists remains subdued.“Higher airfares and uncertainty around flight operations have made travellers more conscious about the overall cost and convenience of a holiday,” said SaffronStays founder Devendra Parulekar.“Outbound travel continues to be attractive, particularly for travellers looking for annual family holidays or event-based travel.”Indians are clearly trying to get the most out of every trip. Data provided in the Wise Travel Survey 2026 shows that almost half of Indian international travellers spend less than Rs 1 lakh per trip.“Indian outbound travel is entering a more mature phase in the second half of 2026. Travellers continue to favour destinations that offer a balance of convenience, diverse experiences and strong value for money. Among these, Southeast Asia remains a preferred region, while interest in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and East Asia continues to grow. What connects these markets is their ability to offer a strong mix of accessibility, experiences and overall value,” said ibis and ibis styles commercial head Animesh Kumar.The tourism department hopes that by promoting spiritual and cultural heritage, wellness experiences, hinterland destinations, adventure sports and community-led tourism, it can encourage longer stays and more arrivals.“Goa’s tourism performance in the first nine months of 2026 reflects the continued confidence of travellers to our destination. Our focus is on building a tourism ecosystem that goes beyond seasonal numbers,” said tourism minister Rohan Khaunte.The tourism department has been trying to increase international tourist footfalls by participating in tourism trade events, roadshows and marketing campaigns in Europe, the UK, Russia and Central Asia.
