Mumbai, Apr 15 (PTI) Tourist arrivals in Goa remained broadly steady during January-March, but the West Asia crisis sharply hit inbound travel, with foreign tourist numbers plunging 82.24 per cent to 31,082
in March.
According to official data, Goa witnessed 31,082 foreign tourist arrivals in March 2026, compared to 56,644 travellers in the corresponding month of 2025.
Overall, Goa welcomed 28.50 lakh tourists, both domestic and foreign, during January-March 2026 as compared to 28.51 lakh in the same period of the previous year.
The continued expansion of Goa's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) ecosystem was a key driver this quarter.
India Energy Week 2026 brought more than 75,000 delegates, over 700 exhibitors and participants from 120-plus countries, positioning Goa as a global host for large-scale business events.
"Maintaining our tourism performance at near-record levels in the first quarter of 2026 is a clear indicator of Goa's strength as a destination. What is particularly encouraging is the quality of growth we are seeing.
"Largescale global events, along with the continued rise of destination weddings and strong domestic travel demand are helping us build a more stable and value-driven tourism ecosystem," Goa Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte said in a statement.
This momentum also reflects a larger shift in how Goa is being experienced today, with travellers engaging more deeply with the state's cultural, event led and experiential offerings beyond the beaches, positioning the State as a year-round destination, he added.
"Domestic connectivity has played a critical role in driving tourism this quarter. The expansion of direct flight routes linking Goa with cities across India has made the destination more accessible than ever, resulting in a significant surge in domestic visitor flows," Goa Director of Tourism Kedar Naik said.
Through January and February, visitor flows remained stable, maintaining the high base set last year, he said, adding that March saw a marginal decline, primarily influenced by international factors.
However, foreign arrivals were impacted by global developments, including the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which has led to higher fuel costs and affected aviation economics, he added. PTI SM TRB
