Panaji, May 15 (IANS): Goa will re-emerge as the top tourism destination in the country soon, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a state-level bankers' committee meeting at the state secretariat, Sawant said that the quality of Covid-19 management provided by the authorities in Goa would help the state in the long run as far as the tourism industry is concerned.

"With the quality of Covid-19 management provided in Goa, the state will flourish once again as a number one tourism destination. I am sure about it," Sawant told reporters.

The Chief Minister also said that Indian travellers, who normally prefer to holiday in a foreign destination, would prefer to spend a vacation in Goa given the state's track record in handling the Covid-19 crisis.

"Those who were going on international holidays, will now prefer coming to Goa," Sawant said.

Tourism in Goa has taken a beating following the Covid-19 outbreak. Last year, the state had attracted more than 7 million tourists.

After successfully treating 7 Covid-19 cases, Goa did not report a single positive case from April 3 till earlier this week. The state currently has eight Covid-19 positive cases.