PANAJI
In a carefully worded reference to the current strain along the Indo-Pakistani border, the Goa Tourism Department has conceded that “current regional uncertainties” have cast uncertainty over the summer travel season, usually buoyed by domestic holidaymakers in May.
The month, which usually brings a strong surge in domestic footfall driven by school holidays and family travel, is now facing unpredictable demand. “Current regional uncertainties have cast some unpredictability over forward demand,” the department said in a statement released on Monday.
In an effort to brace for a possible downturn, the department has convened meetings with representatives from the hospitality industry, transport services, travel agents and alternate accommodation providers to review booking patterns from May to July and devise a joint approach to soften any slowdown.
The meetings, the statement added, are focused on “building resilience, promoting shared visibility, and ensuring industry alignment” across the coming season.
Meanwhile, Goa Tourism claims to have reported a 10.5 per cent year-on-year rise in tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2025, with 28,51,554 visitors recorded between January and March. The figure is an increase from 25,80,155 during the same period last year.
“Our Q1 success is not accidental. It is a result of deep partnerships, strategic planning, and consistent market outreach. Even as we stay alert to emerging dynamics, our goal remains clear to make Goa a future-ready destination built on sustainability, connectivity, and meaningful visitor experiences,” Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said in the same media statement.
The upswing reflects the impact of a three-pronged strategy implemented by the Department of Tourism, which focused on strengthening promotion in core and emerging markets, expanding international air connectivity, and diversifying the state's tourism offerings.
“One of the key contributors to this growth has been enhanced aviation connectivity. Air India Express, which already operated direct flights from Goa to Dubai, has introduced new routes to Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. These developments are part of a broader push by Goa Tourism to engage with Gulf carriers and leverage transit traffic through Middle Eastern aviation hubs ” a move aimed at overcoming current bilateral constraints in coordination with the Central Government,” reads the statement.
The department also stepped up its global outreach, mounting targeted campaigns and securing a presence at high-profile international travel trade events. These included WTM London, ITB Asia in Singapore, the Tashkent International Tourism Fair, and the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai.
“New experiences such as the Ekadasha Teertha spiritual circuit, Ayurveda and wellness retreats, hinterland expeditions, and regenerative village stays are drawing interest from conscious global travellers and off-season domestic tourists. Monsoon travel packages, in particular, have found resonance in the Middle Eastern market. Festivals such as Deep Parv, Raponkaracho Sea Food Festival, Chikhal Kalo, Sao Joao, Festavista, and flagship events like the Spirit of Goa and the Heritage Festival are not only enriching the local cultural landscape but also enticing experiential travellers to venture beyond the beaches,” it added.
