Panaji: The first five months of 2026 brought 46.3 lakh tourists to Goa's balmy shores, the tourism department announced on Friday. While the data reflects sustained demand from domestic and international travelers, the figures indicate negligible growth compared to the same period in 2025.
Goa recorded 41.30 lakh tourist arrivals in the first five months (January to May) of 2025. The flat growth must be viewed in the context of the West Asia crisis, which had a cascading effect on fuel supply, airfares, flight cancellations, and travel restrictions. "Despite these challenges, Goa continued to attract strong visitor interest," a department official stated.
May, a month when footfall typically declines due to peak summer heat and pre-monsoon showers, proved encouraging. The state welcomed 9.7 lakh visitors in May, marking a 4.53% increase over May 2025.
"Goa's tourism growth today is driven by a combination of strong connectivity, diversified experiences, and growing visitor confidence. Travelers are increasingly exploring Goa's culture, heritage, spirituality, wellness offerings, hinterland experiences, festivals, and culinary traditions. This broad-based growth is helping us build a more resilient tourism economy," said Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.
Between January and May, 44.4 lakh domestic tourists and 2 lakh foreign tourists visited the state. Domestic tourism remains a significant driver, supported by Goa's dual-airport option.
"The steady growth recorded during the first five months of 2026 demonstrates the strength and adaptability of Goa's tourism sector. Goa is attracting visitors throughout the year and encouraging them to explore different facets of the destination. Our focus remains on enhancing visitor experiences while advancing responsible and sustainable growth," said Tourism Director Kedar Naik.
To maintain momentum during the monsoon season, the tourism department held discussions with stakeholders on May 14. The department has asked travel agents to curate monsoon packages, while airlines have been requested to offer special fares for Goa. Curated monsoon itineraries could include heritage walks, village trails, birding, and thematic tours.
