'Narrative' on falling tourist numbers in Goa not backed by data: Minister Khaunte

He added that Goa was expected to benefit from this shift, particularly as more travellers opt for domestic destinations.The minister said all stakeholders, including airport authorities, were working together to ensure that monsoon tourism was marketed effectively as a package.

Goa continues to witness growth in tourist arrivals and remains optimistic about the upcoming monsoon season, state Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Thursday, dismissing claims that visitors are avoiding the coastal state.

Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of 'Shackathon', an event aimed at encouraging working spaces in beach shacks at Calangute, Khaunte said both domestic and international tourist arrivals have shown consistent year-on-year growth over the last five years.

''If we go year to year since 2022, it has been a growth story in terms of foreign tourist arrivals as well as domestic arrivals,'' he said.

The minister attributed the rise in domestic tourism to initiatives taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that Goa continues to be a preferred destination for international travellers.

He, however, criticised sections of the media for creating what he termed a ''misleading narrative'' about a decline in tourist footfall.

''Certain sections of media, without data, talk about why tourists are not coming to Goa, possibly to gain TRPs. The numbers speak differently,'' Khaunte said.

He said the state government and tourism stakeholders are confident of strong arrivals in the coming months, including the monsoon season, with multiple agreements already in place with international charter operators.

''Industry players have signed agreements across the world to bring tourists, and stakeholders, including airlines and hoteliers, are coming together to curate packages,'' he said.

Khaunte added that Goa is focusing on attracting high-spending international tourists while continuing to strengthen its domestic tourism base.

''We are very positive about the numbers in the monsoons and also in the coming season,'' he said, stressing that coordinated efforts by stakeholders would ensure sustained growth in the sector.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the minister had said that the concept of an ''off-season'' was gradually fading in Goa.

The evolving travel preferences, especially among younger travellers, are also shaping tourism trends in the coastal state, he said.

''Challenges exist globally, including war situations, which have impacted airlines. Despite this, tourist numbers are still coming in. As far as Goa is concerned, arrivals continue, and there is no such thing as an off-season,'' he had said.

Monsoon tourism offers a different perspective and continues to attract visitors, the minister pointed out.

Khaunte said the tourism department was in the process of setting up a single-window MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) bureau as a nodal agency to promote MICE tourism in the state, in coordination with all stakeholders.

Highlighting emerging trends, he said destination weddings that were earlier held abroad were now shifting to India, with Goa and Jaipur among the top choices. He added that Goa was expected to benefit from this shift, particularly as more travellers opt for domestic destinations.

The minister said all stakeholders, including airport authorities, were working together to ensure that monsoon tourism was marketed effectively as a package.