Panaji, Feb 2 (FE): Goa Tourism has witnessed a 30 per cent increase in tourist arrival figures for the year 2014 (January-December) in comparison with the corresponding year 2013. Data emerging from the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa for the year 2014 shows that Goa hosted a total of 40,58,226 tourists from January to December which includes both domestic and foreign tourists as against 31,21,473 tourists in 2013.

In 2014, as many as 35,44,634 domestic tourists visited Goa and 5,13,592 foreign tourists visited the State between January-December. In 2013, a total of 26,29,151 domestic tourists visited Goa and 4,92,322 foreign tourists visited Goa.

Ameya Abhyankar, director of tourism, said, “The statistical graph showing a 30 per cent increase in tourist arrivals for the year 2014 reinforces our stand that Goa is a preferred holiday destination in the world and will continue to be one every passing year. It comes as no surprise to us that even the tourist arrival figures for the last quarter of 2014 (October/November/December) shows an increase in domestic tourist arrivals by 62 per cent. The drop in foreign tourist arrivals for the same period is also very meager.”

Dilip Parulekar, ,minister for tourism, Government of Goa said, “The data is very encouraging news. As far as foreign tourist arrivals there has been a drop in charter arrivals but this is a temporary phase arising from the geopolitical scenario in Europe. We are focusing on newer markets across the globe and will see rise in footfalls in the months to come.”

For the first time, the department of tourism has carried out an extensive exercise of enumerating tourists arrivals by road, rail, sea and air engaging the services of the railways, PWD, MPT and Airport Authority of India.