According to official statistics, Goa welcomed about 1.08 crore tourists in 2025, including five lakh international visitors, exceeding prior years’ figures.
Goa Tourism Growth and Government Vision
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stated on Sunday that the Goa government’s priorities are still to promote high-quality travel, diversify markets, and advance the coastal state’s vision of regenerative tourism, making sure that its expansion results in long-term advantages for local communities, the environment, and the economy.
Goa had 1,02,84,608 domestic visitors and 5,17,802 international visitors in 2025, totaling 1,08,02,410 arrivals, according to figures issued by the state Tourism Department on Sunday. Goa’s inbound tourism has benefited greatly from foreign visitor arrivals via charter aircraft, especially from traditional source markets, it stated.
Tourist Arrival Trends Over the Years
According to the statistics, Goa, which is well-known for its beautiful beaches, has seen distinct stages of development, disruption, and recovery throughout the years in terms of visitor arrivals. The state had 68,95,234 domestic visitors and 8,90,459 overseas visitors in 2017, for a total of 77,85,693 visitors. According to the statistics, moderate increase persisted (prior to COVID-19) in 2018 and 2019, with total arrivals reaching 80,15,400 and 80,64,400, respectively.
According to the report, this increasing tendency persisted (after COVID-19) in 2023 and 2024, with total arrivals of 86,28,162 and 1,04,09,196, respectively. In terms of foreign visitor arrivals, Goa saw 1,024 charter flights carrying 2,49,374 foreign visitors in 2017. By 2019, that number had dropped to 799 flights and 2,16,738 visitors.
Impact of Mopa Airport and Charter Flights
The government claimed that statistics from 2023, which showed charter operations at both Mopa and Dabolim airports with a total of 356 flights and 72,795 visitors, demonstrated the operationalization of Manohar International Airport (in Mopa in North Goa). “There were 266 flights and 58,680 visitors arriving by charter in 2024. With operations divided between Dabolim and Mopa airports, Goa had 189 charter flights in 2025, bringing in 40,336 international visitors, according to the report.
🌴 Goa Tourism Record 2025
- Total Tourists: 1,08,02,410
- Domestic Visitors: 1,02,84,608
- International Visitors: 5,17,802
- Key Drivers: Domestic demand, air connectivity
- Major Boost: Manohar International Airport (Mopa)
- Focus: Quality and regenerative tourism
Government Assessment of Tourism Performance
According to Khaunte, Goa’s tourist performance, as shown by the year-by-year data, amply illustrates the industry’s tenacity and the success of the government’s persistent efforts to promote organized and balanced tourism development.
“The state’s increased connectivity and destination preparedness are highlighted by the continuous increase in domestic tourist arrivals, the gradual resurrection of foreign tourism across charter, scheduled international flights, and cruise sectors, together with the strengthened role of Manohar International Airport,” he said.
International Scheduled Flights Recovery
Goa’s inbound tourism has continually benefited from foreign visitor arrivals via international scheduled flights, according to Khaunte.Dabolim Airport handled 2,460 international flights in 2017, transporting 3,35,573 foreign visitors. Due to travel limitations, this number steadily decreased until 2021, when just 265 flights and 11,971 visitors were reported, he said.
In 2022, there were 1,135 flights and 1,34,922 visitors, marking the start of a gradual comeback.When both airports handled foreign flights in 2023, totaling 1,416 flights and 1,95,067 visitors, Mopa Airport’s operationalization became apparent, he added. “As per 2025 statistics, a total of 1,784 international (non-chartered) flights ran via Dabolim (643 flights) and Mopa (1,141 flights), carrying 2,35,798 foreign visitors,” the minister said. In 2024, these numbers rose to 1,546 flights carrying 1,95,990 passengers.
🚢 Cruise Tourism & Connectivity
- Port: Mormugao Port, South Goa
- 2025 Cruise Vessels: 37
- Total Passengers: 51,510
- International: 10,086
- Domestic: 41,424
- Role: Supports diversified tourism growth
Cruise Tourism Performance
With arrivals from both local and international cruise ships, the minister said that cruise tourism via Mormugao Port in South Goa continues to enhance the state’s tourist reputation.
“34 cruise ships with 40,822 international passengers arrived in Goa in 2017. After reaching a record of 63,606 international passengers in 2019, cruise arrivals fell precipitously during the epidemic, he added. The ministry said that cruise operations gradually began in 2022, with five boats carrying 12,856 people, including both local and international visitors.
“With 52 boats and 58,603 passengers in 2023 and 50 vessels and 66,555 passengers in 2024, there was a notable rise,” he said. According to data from 2025, 37 cruise ships came in Goa with a total of 51,510 passengers, including 41,424 local and 10,086 international visitors, he said.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many visitors came to Goa in 2025?
Goa had a record 1,08,02,410 tourists in 2025, including 1,02,84,608 local and 5,17,802 international visitors.
2. What caused the number of tourists to rise?
Strong domestic travel demand, better air connections, Manohar foreign Airport’s (Mopa) operationalization, the resurgence of foreign flights, and cruise tourism are important reasons.
3. How did international visitors get to Goa in 2025?
Foreign visitors arrived by cruise ships (10,086 foreign passengers), scheduled international flights (2,35,798 tourists via Dabolim and Mopa), and charter flights (40,336 tourists).
4. What function did Mopa Airport serve?
By managing a greater percentage of international aircraft alongside Dabolim, Mopa greatly improved international connectivity and increased total foreign arrivals.
5. What is Goa’s future tourist plan?
The state is concentrating on regenerative tourism, giving quality travel, market diversity, sustainability, and long-term advantages for the environment and local communities a priority.
Conclusion
Goa’s record-breaking number of visitors in 2025 demonstrates the industry’s tenacity and triumphant post-pandemic revival. Goa is setting itself up for balanced, long-term development that helps the local economy and people via improved connectivity, a variety of arrival routes, and a strong push toward sustainable and regenerative tourism.
Disclaimer
The Goa Tourism Department and the Tourism Minister’s publicly provided statistics and remarks served as the foundation for this article. Figures and interpretations may be revised by authorities and are provided only for informative reasons.
