During the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte reiterated the state’s request to the Centre for the extension of the visa-on-arrival facility to Goa, citing the state’s growing stature as a preferred global destination and the need to ease international travel formalities.
The Minister noted that while the e-visa program has already been incorporated for over 170 countries, the visa-on-arrival facility is currently restricted to a select group of just 4 countries, including Japan, South Korea, UAE, and Russia, and is operational only at six designated metro airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru etc.
“We have raised this matter with the Hon’ble Union Civil Aviation Minister and are planning to take it up with the Hon’ble Home Minister as well,” said Minister Khaunte. “We’ve also corresponded with the Ministry of External Affair, and we are actively pursuing the matter to ensure that Goa is included as a visa-on-arrival airport. “Goa is now better connected to various parts of the world, and we are seeing the results of our focused outreach efforts,” the Minister affirmed.
The Minister emphasized that while the visa-on-arrival facility comes with both advantages and limitations, it is important to work out a comprehensive and balanced solution. He informed the House that once the Assembly session concludes, the matter will be taken up in detail with the Hon’ble Chief Minister and all relevant stakeholders. He expressed confidence that through collective dialogue and coordinated efforts, a viable way forward can be achieved.
In a further boost to the state’s international tourism efforts, Shri Khaunte shared that Goa has successfully tapped into emerging markets such as Poland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, which previously had limited or no direct tourism linkage with the state. This growth is attributed to targeted international roadshows and sustained global destination promotion, which have expanded Goa’s reach and visibility across new geographies.
Shri Khaunte highlighted that the data on tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy is systematically captured through the Tourism Information Management Enterprise (TIME) software. This centralized digital platform has been developed to streamline the process of data collection and analysis across the state’s tourism accommodation sector. All registered hotels, guesthouses, and homestays are mandated to use TIME to log guest check-ins and report occupancy statistics on a real-time basis. This initiative not only ensures accurate and transparent reporting but also helps the Department monitor tourism trends, improve planning, and make data-driven policy decisions.
The Department of Tourism remains committed to enhancing Goa’s global accessibility, fostering new market connections, and ensuring a seamless, world-class experience for all international travellers.
