Goa most preferred destination for Russians

TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Goa tourism has been declared as having the potential to become the ‘most sought after destination in South East Asia’ for Russian tourists. This was announced at a press conference in Moscow where Goa is participating in the MITT 2014 along with the Russian Information Center.

Goa has been given the most preferred destination for Russian tourists based on data indicating that the inflow of tourists from Russia to Goa is growing steadily. In 2013, Goa had 1,62,746 tourists from Russia whereas in 2012 the figure was 1,40,100. The growth is high, in comparison to 2010, where Goa registered just 57,623 tourists from Russia. 

“Thus, the tourist inflow from Russian increased more than 35 per cent in last five years,” says a press communiqué issued from a media briefing in Moscow.

Officials confirm that Russia has the largest share among foreign charter arrivals in Goa. Within three months of the current season --October 2013 - January 2014, 490 charters from Russia have landed in Goa carrying 1,19,447 tourists. While within six months of the previous season --October 2012 - March 2013, 755 charters from Russia arrived in Goa with 1,57,605 tourists.

The average growth of tourist traffic to Goa in 2013 was about 12 per cent and the volume of foreign tourist traffic increased by 9.27 per cent compared to 2012. During 2013 --January to December, the number of foreign tourists grew at about 4 per cent.

The increase in Russia tourists is due to aggressive marketing, creation of infrastructure such as new terminal at Dabolim Airport, developing road and transport, etc. It adds that the State’s new beach cleaning program will soon put Goa beaches among the cleanest in Southeast Asia.

"The new simplified visa regime will be an important factor in the growth of Goa’s potential as one of the key destination for Russian tourists in Southeast Asia. Moreover, state authorities are keen on developing Goa tourism infrastructure which also has positive effect on the growth of the tourist flow as well as increases the percentage of tourists returning to Goa next year ," Ekaterina Belyakova, head of Russian Information Center in Goa said.

The Goa tourism department has also assured that it has taken all steps to resolve the issues between tourist taxi operators and tour operators and the situation is under control.

Goa Tourism has also pointed out to its new concepts like eco-tourism, heritage and culture tourism in order to spread out emphasis from beach tourism and to ensure flow of tourists to unexplored areas of the state. Likewise introduction of new projects like sea planes, hot air balloons, family theme parks, golf course, marinas will be added attractions.