Goa Begins The New Year With High Hotel Occupancy Across The State

Cultural, Wellness, And Hinterland Tourism Gain Momentum In Goa

Goa recorded strong hotel occupancy across the State during the New Year period, with numerous properties operating at near-capacity levels. The robust figures highlight steady tourist inflows and point to encouraging prospects for the region’s tourism industry in the period ahead.

Rohan A. Khaunte , Minister for Tourism, said, “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.”

Strong occupancy reflects ongoing initiatives to strengthen destination preparedness, expand connectivity, broaden the range of tourism experiences, and position Goa as an all-season destination. New Year visitors demonstrated interest beyond the coastline, engaging with cultural, wellness, spiritual, and hinterland tourism offerings, which supported a more evenly spread tourism presence across the State.

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.”

The surge in arrivals has also had a positive 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.