Team Herald

PORVORIM: Goa witnessed a 19.5 percent growth in tourism footfalls in the last calendar year with 63.31 lakh tourists visiting the State, however, the growth is lower compared to the previous year, the Economic Survey 2016-17 stated.

“In order to promote Goa as an ideal tourist destination, several initiatives and tourism infrastructure projects were undertaken to augment the carrying capacity of the State,” the Economic Survey that was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday states.

The State received 63.31 lakh tourists in 2016 which comprised 56.50 lakh domestic and 06.81 lakh foreigners compared to the 52.98 lakh visitors in 2015. In 2015, there was a growth of 30.55 percent in tourist arrivals compared to the preceding 2014.

Giving the statistics as per the tourist season (beginning from September till June), the survey states that in 2016-17 up to February this year, 743 chartered flights had arrived in the State bringing in 1.83 lakh tourists.

For the season 2015-16, 798 chartered flights had arrived flying in 1.58 lakh tourists, which means this season there is already approximately a 15.55 percent rise in chartered tourist arrivals.

In 2016-17 up to February 2017, around 3466 hotels with 35,452 room capacity were operational, showing an increase of 7.81 percent in room availability in the State as compared to previous year. 

“Tourism has become a highly competitive industry and each and every nation is trying to attract tourists to their country. Similarly, each State in India makes all efforts to attract more tourists in their States and Goa is not an exception,” the report stated.

The State participated in 18 national level travel marts and two international travel marts. 

The Tourism Department earned revenue of around Rs 2.66 crore in the form of licensing fees of beach shacks, Rs 52.07 lakh on lease rents and Rs 14.90 lakh on various events.