Goa Tourism Records Growth in Tourist Arrivals; Provisional 2025 Data Indicates Continued Recovery

Provisional 2025 data shows Goa tourism surpassing pre-pandemic levels, driven by domestic travel and improved connectivity

Goa recorded continued growth in tourist arrivals in 2025, according to provisional data released by the Department of Tourism, reflecting a sustained recovery across domestic and international segments following the pandemic.

Tourist arrivals in the state have moved through phases of growth, disruption and recovery over the past decade. In 2017, Goa received 68,95,234 domestic tourists and 8,90,459 foreign tourists, totalling 77,85,693 arrivals. This figure increased to 80,15,400 in 2018 and 80,64,400 in 2019. Following the pandemic-related decline, arrivals rose again in 2023 to 86,28,162 and further to 1,04,09,196 in 2024. Provisional figures for 2025 indicate 1,02,84,608 domestic tourists and 5,17,802 foreign tourists, aggregating to a total of 1,08,02,410 arrivals.

Foreign tourist arrivals through charter flights have remained a component of Goa’s inbound tourism. In 2017, 1,024 charter flights brought 2,49,374 foreign tourists to the state. This declined to 799 flights carrying 2,16,738 tourists in 2019. Following the operationalisation of Manohar International Airport, charter operations were recorded at both Dabolim and Mopa airports in 2023, with 356 flights carrying 72,795 tourists. In 2024, charter arrivals stood at 266 flights and 58,680 tourists. Provisional data for 2025 records 189 charter flights bringing 40,336 foreign tourists, operating through both airports.

Hon'ble Tourism Minister, Rohan A. Khaunte — Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Government of Goa

Commenting on the data, Rohan A Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, said that year-wise statistics indicate a steady recovery of the tourism sector, with growth seen across domestic arrivals and the gradual return of foreign tourism through charter flights, scheduled international flights and cruise segments. He noted that the operational role of Manohar International Airport is reflected in the distribution of air traffic between the two airports.

International scheduled flights have also contributed to inbound tourism. In 2017, 2,460 international flights through Dabolim Airport carried 3,35,573 foreign tourists. Numbers declined sharply during the pandemic, reaching 265 flights and 11,971 tourists in 2021. Recovery began in 2022 with 1,135 flights and 1,34,922 tourists. In 2023, with both Dabolim and Mopa airports operational, 1,416 international flights carried 1,95,067 tourists. This increased to 1,546 flights and 1,95,990 tourists in 2024. Provisional figures for 2025 show 1,784 international flights, including 643 through Dabolim and 1,141 through Mopa, carrying a total of 2,35,798 foreign tourists.

Cruise tourism has continued to add to overall arrivals. In 2017, Goa received 34 cruise vessels carrying 40,822 foreign passengers. Arrivals peaked in 2019 with 63,606 foreign passengers before declining during the pandemic. Cruise operations resumed in 2022 with five vessels bringing 12,856 passengers. In 2023, 52 vessels carried 58,603 passengers, followed by 50 vessels and 66,555 passengers in 2024. Provisional data for 2025 records 37 cruise vessels carrying a total of 51,510 passengers, including 10,086 foreign tourists and 41,424 domestic tourists.

Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, said the figures indicate a recovery trend across domestic tourism, international flights, charter operations and cruise tourism, reflecting improvements in infrastructure, connectivity and destination management.

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa stated that the provisional figures for 2025 reflect continued recovery and stabilisation of tourism activity across segments, with arrivals now exceeding pre-pandemic levels in overall numbers.