The United Kingdom and Russia were the largest international sources of tourists to Goa in the 2025-26 tourism year, with Maharashtra and Karnataka being the top domestic contributors to hotel stays. UK arrivals surged 49% to 70,349 visitors from 47,212 the previous year. Russian visitor numbers rose from 30,103 to 43,396, securing the second position. The United States ranked third internationally with arrivals increasing from 17,425 to 24,878, followed by Germany, where arrivals increased from 8,656 to 11,958. Domestic tourists from Maharashtra increased by 47%, climbing from 10.8 lakh to 15.9 lakh, and Karnataka visitors increased from 6.5 lakh to
8.6 lakh. Delhi, Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu also contributed sizeable domestic visitor numbers.
Hotel Data Reporting and TIME Software Extension
Only 60% of the 7,098 registered hotels and guesthouses in Goa submitted tourist arrival data through the Tourist Information Management Enterprise (TIME) software in 2025-26, an improvement from 45% the prior year but still below the tourism department’s standards for adequate compliance. Goa Electronics Ltd operates the TIME application, which compiles arrival data for the Goa Tourism Department. The Goa government has extended the TIME software contract until December 28, 2026. A 10% increase in portal processing fees for hotels
is under consideration and will be implemented only if data submission compliance reaches 70% among registered establishments.
Data Reliability Concerns and Efforts to Improve Compliance
Tourism officials acknowledged the growth in reported tourist arrivals may partially reflect heightened reporting discipline, especially from guesthouses, budget hotels, and homestays, rather than solely increases in actual footfall. Some hoteliers have questioned the authenticity of the growth figures due to varying compliance levels. To enhance the accuracy of tourism statistics, officials are reviewing measures such as periodic reminders to increase data submission rates. Reliable, real-time data submission remains critical to accurately capturing Goa’s tourism trends.
