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NDTV
01-07-2025
- NDTV
High Air Fare Hits Goa Peak Season Tourism, Chief Minister To Write To Centre
India's beach paradise, Goa, is witnessing a rise in tourism, but in the off-season. While that is good news, it needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Peak season tourism in Goa has taken a hit owing to expensive air tickets. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has decided to take up the issue with the centre. Mr Sawant plans to write a letter to the central government demanding affordable air travel during peak season. A round-trip from Delhi to Goa would cost around Rs 8,000. However, during peak travel season, that is between November and February, air fares double to 16,000 and higher. As we inch closer to the travel season, fares are likely to soar, making domestic travel an expensive affair, pushing people to choose international destinations like neighbouring Sri Lanka for a vacation. This affects tourism in the state. However, with hotels bustling with tourists and people flocking to beaches, the off-season tourism in Goa is booming. Goa's hotels are running 80 to 90 per cent occupied. The state has witnessed a nearly nine per cent increase in tourists between January and May, compared to 2024. Between January and May, over 43 lakh domestic tourists visited Goa, an increase of seven per cent from 2024. Similarly, 2.45 lakh foreign tourists visited the state during the same period, a rise of 47.5 per cent from the previous year. Key Initiatives By Goa Government For Better Tourism The Goa government has simplified the registration process for villas. Now, only five permissions are required to register a property, and it can be done on the government website. The government has reportedly registered all villas. The state government is also prioritising the safety of female tourists. In case a woman needs help, she can call the state's Pink Force, women officers dressed in pink, who will arrive in five minutes. The state has put an end to tourists camping and cooking. Rs 400 crore has been earmarked for waste management and disposal. Dance bars have been banned in the state. As far as casinos are concerned, six are on the seashore, while the remaining are in five-star hotels where only mechanised games are allowed.
News18
01-07-2025
- News18
Sun, Sand & Sky-High Fares: Can Goa's Tourism Buzz Beat The Airfare Blues?
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is preparing to take the issue to the Centre, seeking intervention to cap or regulate fares during the most crucial tourism months Goa's never-slowing crowd is back in full swing, but as the state rides the wave of a booming tourism season, there's a storm brewing overhead—sky-high airfare. This year, ticket prices to Goa during the peak season touched new heights—sometimes higher than international fares—worrying both travellers and the state government. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is preparing to take the issue to the Centre, seeking intervention to cap or regulate fares during the most crucial tourism months. In a move that reflects growing concern among stakeholders, the chief minister plans to formally write to the government to push for more affordable air travel to the beach state. 'When domestic tickets cost more than a trip abroad, it starts hurting Goa's core travel economy," Sawant told CNN-News18. Despite the airfare worries, Goa is seeing impressive tourist turnout—even in the off-season. Monsoon in Goa has gone from being a 'slow period' to a magnet for travellers seeking lush greenery, peaceful beaches, and quieter stays. In fact, hotel occupancy currently ranges between 80–90 per cent, and villas across the state are booked to full occupancy. What's changed? Quite a bit. The Goa government has overhauled how tourism properties are managed, with mandatory registration of all villas. There's now a simplified single-window clearance system and only five permits are required to run a tourism unit. Online registration has been introduced to reduce red tape and keep middlemen out as part of a broader push to formalise the tourism economy and make the state more travel- and investor-friendly. 'Goa is also placing women's safety at the front and centre. The innovative Pink Force, with female officers in pink uniforms, now responds to women's distress calls within five minutes—a model many other states could take cues from," Sawant told CNN-News18. In a bid to protect its environment, Goa has also restricted tourists from bringing camping or self-cooking gear across borders. It has also allocated Rs 400 crore for waste management and banned all dance bars state-wide. When it comes to gaming, the rules are clear—only six off-shore casinos are allowed, while others in five-star hotels are permitted mechanised games only. The government is now embracing cutting-edge tech, including Artificial Intelligence, to boost smart tourism and visitor experience. As per official data, Goa saw a combined tourism growth of 8.65 per cent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs) 2024 (Jan–May): 40.68 lakh 2025 (Jan–May): 43.75 lakh Growth: 7.57 per cent April 2025 stood out with a 12.22 per cent jump, while May showed signs of saturation with only 0.76 per cent growth. Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) 2024 (Jan–May): 1.66 lakh 2025 (Jan–May): 2.45 lakh Growth: 47.55 per cent January 2025 saw an 83.25 per cent rise in international visitors, though the momentum slowed sharply by May. With a global spotlight on India and foreign interest growing, Goa is eager to keep its beaches open, its economy buzzing, and its skies more affordable. So, can cheaper air tickets become the next big tourism booster? That's what the state hopes to achieve.
