PANAJI: The Goa government is considering to approach the Central government to extend Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facilities at both Dabolim and Manohar International Airports, stressing that the move would significantly boost international tourist arrivals and enhance ease of travel to the coastal state.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has proposed that coastal MLAs meet with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and then approach Union Ministers in Delhi to push for the inclusion of Goa’s airports under the Union government’s VoA scheme. BJP MLA Michael Lobo backed the proposal, calling visa on arrival a “game changer” for Goa’s tourism economy.
Responding to questions on the fourth day of the Goa Legislative Assembly’s Monsoon Session, Khaunte said the state has already taken up the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Minister and plans to follow up with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The state government has also corresponded with the Ministry of External Affairs.
“While the e-visa programme currently covers over 170 countries, visa on arrival is restricted to just four: Japan, South Korea, UAE, and Russia, and is operational at only six designated metro airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru,” the minister pointed out.
“We are actively pursuing the matter to ensure both the airports in Goa are notified under the visa on arrival facility,” he said. Once the Assembly session concludes on August 8, discussions will be held with the CM and other stakeholders to take the proposal forward.
Khaunte acknowledged that while VoA has both benefits and limitations, a “comprehensive and balanced solution” is required. He expressed confidence that coordinated efforts will lead to a favourable outcome.
The minister also defended the government’s outreach and destination marketing strategy, stating that targeted international roadshows and sustained promotion have helped tap into new markets like Poland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, countries that previously had limited direct tourism linkage with Goa.
Addressing concerns raised by Lobo over a decline in tourist footfalls over the past five years, Khaunte denied the claim. “Tourist arrivals are on the rise,” he said, adding that some categories of visitors, like second-home owners from Delhi, Mumbai or Telangana, are not captured in the official tourism data because they stay in private residences rather than hotels.
Lobo also questioned the credibility of tourism data, particularly the foreign tourist arrival numbers for 2020, citing COVID-related travel restrictions and accusing the government of lacking seriousness in resolving tourism sector challenges.
Khaunte said tourist and hotel occupancy data is now being systematically recorded through the Tourism Information Management Enterprise (TIME) software. Acknowledging that Goa, like any other global destination, faces challenges, he added, “It is unfair when paid influencers visit Goa during the peak season, paint a negative image, and leave.”
