Goa Tourism Booming: Khaunte Slams False Narratives

Panaji, Jul 24 (PTI) Social media influencers are taking money to create false narratives about decline in tourist arrivals in Goa but are unable to counter when official data is presented to them about the state's "strong upward trajectory", minister Rohan Khaunte said in the assembly on Thursday.
If there is decline, show proof, Khaunte dared these social influencers while asserting that "we have nothing to hide as data speaks for itself".
Speaking in the assembly in the ongoing Monsoon session on some posts on social media about decline in visitors to the coastal state, he said, "They (influencers) take money to create noise and circulate false narratives. But when we presented official data, none of them countered it. If there is a decline, show proof. We have nothing to hide, data speaks for itself."
"There is a rise in tourist arrivals. Goa's tourism is on a strong upward trajectory, supported by robust efforts and initiatives undertaken by both the state and Central governments. Flights arriving in Goa and the hotels in the state are almost full with tourists," the minister added.
Between January and June this year, Goa recorded 57,12,758 tourist arrivals, with domestic arrivals of 34,64,490 through Goa Dabolim International Airport at Vasco and 22,48,268 through Manohar International Airport at Mopa.

International arrivals stood at 3,25,835, with 1,15,645 through Goa Dabolim International Airport and 2,10,190 through Manohar International Airport at Mopa, he said.
In past six months alone, both Dabolim and Mopa airports have seen consistently high footfalls, and hotel occupancy has remained between 70 per cent to 100 per cent year-round, the state tourism minister said.
Presenting a comparative analysis with pre-pandemic figures to illustrate the state's remarkable recovery, Khaunte said, "In 2019, Goa recorded 71,27,287 domestic and 9,37,113 international tourists, totalling 80,64,400. In 2024, the number surged to 99,41,285 domestic and 4,67,911 international tourists, totalling 1,04,09,196."
"This reflects a 39.48 per cent growth in domestic tourism compared to pre COVID-19 levels and a 50 per cent recovery in international tourism. Goa has bounced back stronger than ever. These numbers clearly show that tourism is thriving," the minister asserted.
Goa has tapped into new tourism markets such as Poland, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, with flights and international promotions helping drive these connections, the minister said.
"Goa is now linked to several parts of the world. Efforts like roadshows and marketing campaigns have opened up previously untapped tourist segments," he said in the assembly.