Panaji: Goa is expecting a strong international charter season in 2026–27, with flights from traditional source markets such as the UK, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Poland. Efforts are also underway to attract tourists from newer destinations, including Belarus, Armenia, Moldova, and Kyrgyzstan, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said on Monday.
Charter operations are scheduled to begin after the monsoon in October and continue until April next year, reflecting growing confidence among international operators in Goa as a global leisure destination, he said.
According to a statement issued by the tourism department, leading charter operators have projected a rise in tourist arrivals during the upcoming season.
Concord Exotic Voyages, one of Goa’s long-standing charter operators, expects to bring more than 45,000 international tourists during the 2026–27 season through charter services from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region, the statement said.
The operator plans to run six charter flights a week from Russia, with the possibility of increasing the frequency to nine flights depending on demand, besides operating two weekly flights from Kazakhstan, with additional services during the peak winter period, it said.
UK-based tour operator TUI will operate four charter flights every week—two each from Manchester and London Gatwick—between November and March, carrying around 1,200 visitors every week, the statement said.
Travel companies Sita Travels and Thomas Cook India have also confirmed charter operations from mid-October to April, covering the UK, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Poland, with arrivals expected to be around 10 per cent higher than the previous season, it added.
“The strong response from international charter operators reflects growing global confidence in Goa as a high-quality, year-round tourism destination,” Khaunte said.
He said Goa’s efforts to diversify tourism beyond beaches by promoting heritage, spirituality, wellness, adventure, hinterland experiences, and sustainable tourism were attracting international travellers and opening up new source markets.
Tourism Director Kedar Naik said international charter tourism remained a key contributor to Goa’s visitor economy, and the state would continue working with airlines, charter operators, and travel trade partners to strengthen connectivity and improve visitor experiences.
According to the department, international visitors arriving through charter services typically stay in Goa for 10 to 14 nights and increasingly seek experiences such as heritage walks, spice plantation visits, wellness retreats, water sports, cruises, local cuisine, and cultural attractions in addition to beach tourism.
