Goa recorded significant increases in tourist arrivals from the UK, Russia, Maharashtra, and Karnataka during the 2025-26 season, according to data compiled through the state’s TIME software.
International and Domestic Tourist Growth
UK visitors to Goa rose 49% from 47,212 in 2024-25 to 70,349 in 2025-26, maintaining the UK’s position as the leading foreign market. Russian tourists climbed from 30,103 to 43,396 in the same period. The United States was the third-largest source with arrivals increasing from 17,425 to 24,878. Germany ranked fourth, with tourists rising from 8,656 to 11,958. Among other top international markets, Australia, Israel, Canada, Kazakhstan, and Nepal recorded double-digit growth, while
France experienced a slight decline from 6,795 to 6,635 arrivals.
Domestically, Maharashtra continued as the largest source state for Goa’s tourism sector, sending 1.59 million visitors in 2025-26 compared to 1.08 million the year before, marking a 47% increase. Karnataka supplied 860,000 visitors, up from 650,000, and Delhi contributed 440,000, up from 330,000. Gujarat and Goa itself ranked among the top five domestic markets, with Goa placed fifth, reflecting substantial intrastate travel. Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu completed the top ten domestic visitor source states, all showing healthy year-on-year growth.
Hotel Data Submission and Processing Fee Implications
Only 60% of Goa’s registered hotels
submitted tourist arrival data through the TIME platform in 2025-26, up from 45% in 2024-25 but still short of the 70% target set by the tourism department. The shortfall has raised concerns about the accuracy of reported growth figures, as some hoteliers question whether increases reflect true visitor numbers or improved reporting by budget hotels, guesthouses, and homestays.
Tourism director Kedar Naik indicated a 10% processing fee hike for hotels using the TIME software would be considered only if data submission compliance reaches 70% across the state’s 7,098 registered hotels and guesthouses. To improve data reporting, officials plan to send
periodic reminders to hotel operators.
TIME Software Contract Extension
The Goa government extended the contract with Goa Electronics Ltd to provide and maintain the TIME application until December 28, 2026. The TIME platform is central to compiling real-time tourism data, which authorities regard as essential for accurate monitoring of visitor trends in the state.
