Goa has ushered in the New Year with exceptionally high hotel occupancy levels across the State, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most preferred tourism destinations. With several hotels reporting near-full to full occupancy, the strong performance reflects sustained tourist demand during the New Year period and signals positive momentum for the tourism sector in the months ahead.
Minister for Tourism, Rohan A. Khaunte stated: “The strong hotel occupancy witnessed at the start of the New Year reflects the success of our focused approach towards quality tourism. Our emphasis has been on diversifying tourism experiences, improving infrastructure, and promoting responsible and regenerative tourism practices. This growth is not just about numbers, but about creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities while ensuring long-term sustainability of the destination.”
The robust occupancy levels are the result of consistent efforts undertaken to enhance destination readiness, improve connectivity, diversify tourism offerings, and promote Goa as a year-round destination. Tourists visiting the State during the New Year have shown keen interest not only in coastal experiences but also in cultural, wellness, spiritual, and hinterland tourism products, contributing to a more balanced and distributed tourism footprint.
Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik added: “The encouraging occupancy levels are a direct outcome of strategic planning, destination preparedness, and continuous engagement with stakeholders. Goa’s tourism ecosystem is evolving with a focus on experiences beyond the beaches, and the New Year response clearly validates this direction. We remain committed to strengthening tourism across all regions of the State.”
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the strong start to the year, noting that the encouraging trends point towards increased confidence among travellers and tour operators alike.
The surge in arrivals has also had a positive cascading impact on allied sectors such as transport, restaurants, homestays, and local businesses, thereby strengthening the overall tourism economy.
Commenting on the strong New Year performance, Jack Sukhija, President, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) said: “The New Year has commenced on an extremely positive note for Goa’s tourism sector, with hotel occupancies touching very high levels across categories. This clearly indicates sustained demand and renewed confidence among travellers. Goa continues to remain a top choice due to its diverse experiences, quality infrastructure, and collaborative efforts between the Government and industry stakeholders.”
The Department of Tourism continues to work closely with industry partners to ensure safe, seamless, and high-quality visitor experiences, while reinforcing Goa’s vision of sustainable and regenerative tourism. With the New Year beginning on a strong footing, the State’s tourism sector is poised for steady and inclusive growth, stated a press release.
