Panjim | January 29, 2026
Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral
Goa has ushered in the New Year on a robust tourism footing, with hotels across the State reporting near-full to full occupancy, reaffirming its position as one of India’s most preferred travel destinations. The strong performance during the New Year period highlights sustained demand and sets a positive tone for the tourism sector in the months ahead.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, said the encouraging figures reflect the success of the State’s focused and long-term tourism strategy.
“The strong hotel occupancy witnessed at the start of the New Year reflects the success of our focused approach towards quality tourism. Our emphasis has been on diversifying tourism experiences, improving infrastructure, and promoting responsible and regenerative tourism practices. This growth is not just about numbers, but about creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities while ensuring long-term sustainability of the destination,” he stated.
The impressive occupancy levels are attributed to consistent efforts aimed at enhancing destination readiness, improving connectivity, and positioning Goa as a year-round tourism destination. Visitors arriving during the New Year period showed growing interest beyond the beaches, exploring cultural, wellness, spiritual, and hinterland tourism experiences — leading to a more balanced tourism footprint across the State.
Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, noted that the New Year response validates the evolving direction of Goa’s tourism ecosystem.
“The encouraging occupancy levels are a direct outcome of strategic planning, destination preparedness, and continuous engagement with stakeholders. Goa’s tourism ecosystem is evolving with a focus on experiences beyond the beaches, and the New Year response clearly validates this direction,” he said.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the strong start to the year, observing increased confidence among travellers and tour operators. The surge in arrivals has also generated a positive ripple effect across allied sectors including transport services, restaurants, homestays, and local businesses, strengthening the overall tourism economy.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Jack Sukhija, President, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), said, “The New Year has commenced on an extremely positive note for Goa’s tourism sector, with hotel occupancies touching very high levels across categories. This clearly indicates sustained demand and renewed confidence among travellers.”
With the Department of Tourism continuing to work closely with industry partners to ensure safe, seamless, and high-quality visitor experiences, Goa’s tourism sector appears well-positioned for steady, inclusive, and sustainable growth in 2026.
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