Panaji, Nov 17 (TNN): Since June this year Goa has seen heightened tourism activity. There has been a significant rise in tourist numbers. The statistics available with Goa tourism indicate that domestic tourist arrival in Goa from January to September 2013 has surpassed all records since 2011.

Similarly, the state has also seen a rise in the number of international tourist arrivals. "The overall growth rate and footfall in arrival of domestic and international tourists is up by about 10 per cent," said a Goa tourism official.

This increase in number of tourist footfalls, he said is in line with the expectations of Goa Tourism. "The ongoing marketing and promotion efforts through public relations activities, road shows, campaigns, which include outdoor and social media, undertaken by Goa Tourism both in India and abroad, have started showing results," he added.

One of the significant trends that are suggested by these figures is that the concept of monsoon tourism is picking up amongst visitors.

The minister of tourism Dilip Parulekar said, "we are extremely happy to observe the increase in number of tourists to Goa. Goa tourism's efforts to develop the tourism industry along with the development of tourism related infrastructure has started to pay dividends. This is a very encouraging sign and it only motivates us to put in more efforts to raise the bar and ensure that Goa is always the destination of choice among domestic and international tourists."