Goa Tourism witnessing steady growth in arrivals post-COVID-19: Governor

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Panaji: Goa Tourism has been witnessing a steady growth in the tourist arrivals after COVID-19 pandemic with 49.55 lakh domestic and 0.95 lakh international tourists arriving in the coastal state till September, 2022, Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai said.

 

Addressing the winter session of Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday, the Governor said that post COVID-19 pandemic, tourists have started preferring Goa as their holiday destination.

 

“Goa Tourism has been witnessing steady growth in tourist arrivals especially after Covid pandemic. In the year 2021, approximately 33.08 lakh domestic and 0.22 lakh Foreign Tourists preferred Goa as their tourist destination and during the year 2022 (upto the month of September, 2022), approximately 49.55 lakh Domestic and 0.95 lakh Foreign Tourists visited the State,” he said.

 

The Governor said that State government has reduced the documentary requirements by 60 per cent for various  Touristic services like Hotel registration, Travel agent registration, Water sports registration, Tourist guide registration, Photographer registration, Deck beds and umbrellas registration and others.

 

He said that the State government has developed a Mobile app for reporting of illegal activities such as illegal deck beds, tables, umbrellas, touting, and movement of placement of hawkers.

 

“Goa Government has taken a progressive decision of reducing the VAT on aviation turbine fuel from 18 per cent to 8 per cent. This is likely to elevate the position of the State as prime gateway to India,” he said.

 

Speaking about the economic situation of the state, the Governor said that the socio economic indicators of the State as compared to other states of the country are very impressive.

 

“Goa has the highest estimated per capita income in the country, portraying a vigorous and healthy economy. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of the State for the year 2021-22 (Quick) is estimated at Rs 82,603.70 crore at Current Price registering a growth rate of 9.11 per cent,” he said.

 

The Governor pointed out that the State GSDP for the years 2022-23 (Advanced estimates) and 2023-24 (Projected estimates) at Current prices have registered a growth rate of 9.73 per cent and 10.33 per cent.

 

He also said that the State has been selected for hosting some of the events of G20 Summit which will give us an opportunity to portray our State‟s rich culture and hospitality. “The event in the State which is the most preferred tourist destination in the country will provide a major boost to the State‟s economy, thereby handing an opportunity to showcase branding of Goan products at international platform,” the Governor added.

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