Goa's tourism sector witnessed a significant milestone in 2025, with total tourist arrivals reaching 1.08 crore. This figure, released by the Goa Tourism Department, encompasses both domestic and international visitors. While this overall number indicates a strong recovery and growth in the sector, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture, particularly concerning foreign tourist arrivals.
Domestic tourism has been the primary driver of this growth, with 1.03 crore Indian tourists visiting Goa in 2025. This represents a substantial increase compared to previous years, underscoring Goa's enduring popularity as a domestic travel destination. In contrast, the number of foreign tourists reached 5.17 lakh in 2025. While this is a notable figure, it remains below pre-COVID-19 levels, specifically about 42% lower than the 8.9 lakh foreign tourists who visited Goa in 2017.
One of the most significant shifts has been the decline in foreign tourists arriving via charter flights. Traditionally, charter flights have been a crucial component of Goa's winter tourism, bringing in a large number of international visitors. However, in 2025, the number of charter flights plummeted to 189, carrying just 40,336 foreign tourists. This is a stark contrast to 2017, when Goa welcomed 1,024 charter flights with 2,49,374 foreign tourists. This decline reflects a trend that began in 2017.
Despite the decrease in charter arrivals, there has been an increase in travelers arriving via scheduled international flights. In 2025, a total of 1,784 international flights operated through Dabolim (643 flights) and Mopa (1,141 flights), carrying 235,798 foreign tourists. This indicates a shift in travel patterns, with more tourists opting for scheduled flights over charter services.
Cruise tourism also contributes to Goa's tourism profile. In 2025, 37 cruise vessels called at Goa, bringing in 51,510 passengers, including 10,086 foreign tourists and 41,424 domestic tourists. While cruise arrivals have seen fluctuations, they remain a relevant segment of Goa's tourism sector.
Several factors contributed to the overall growth in tourist arrivals in Goa during the first half of 2025. Enhanced air connectivity, especially from the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia, has played a crucial role. Infrastructure upgrades, including improved airport and transport facilities, have also enabled Goa to handle larger tourist volumes. The Tourism Department has actively promoted Goa as a year-round destination, focusing on cultural, monsoon, and spiritual tourism, which has attracted a diverse range of travelers.
Director of Tourism Kedar Naik said that the rise in tourist arrivals highlights a recovery, especially after the pandemic. He also noted that the increase in domestic tourism, the return of international charter operations, more international flights via Dabolim and Mopa airports, and cruise tourism all show that infrastructure, connectivity, and destination management have improved.
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stated that the yearly statistics demonstrate the resilience of Goa's tourism sector and the success of efforts to achieve structured growth. He also said that the rise in domestic tourism, the recovery of foreign arrivals through charter flights and scheduled international flights and cruise segments, and the role of Manohar International Airport all point to better connectivity and destination readiness.
In summary, while Goa has seen a strong resurgence in overall tourist arrivals, with 1.08 crore visitors in 2025, the recovery of the international tourism segment is still underway. Domestic tourism is booming, but foreign arrivals, particularly via charter flights, remain below pre-pandemic levels. The state government is focused on improving connectivity, promoting diverse tourism products, and tapping into new markets to attract more international visitors and sustain the growth of Goa's tourism sector.
