As the tourist season nears its end, Tourism Department released data confirming that the number of domestic and international tourists in Goa last year crossed the five million mark.
As per the statistics, the domestic tourist arrivals went up by 34 per cent and foreign holidayers by 5.4 per cent. “A total of 52,97,902 tourists visited Goa in 2015 that includes 47,56,422 domestic tourists and 5,41,480 foreign tourists,” the official stated.
There were a large number of foreign visitors from UK, Russia, UAE, USA, Portugal and South Africa among others nations despite the recession and crisis that hit Europe.
“The ETV (e-tourist visa) regime introduced by the Central government in December 2014 also facilitated easy access of foreign tourists to Goa. Within one year till December 31, 2015, 49,626 ETVs were issued to foreign tourists,” a statement from the department states.
Arrivals during the monsoon – June, July and August – also saw an increase of 22 per cent as against an 18 per cent increase during the corresponding period in 2014.
“We are delighted to know that none of the negative geo-political situations across the globe affected Goa Tourism. We are receiving good response from the tourists as in the past,” Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said, adding that the department is optimistic that tourists will continue to come to Goa.
