Goa registered a record arrival of international tourists with the UK its second-biggest market.
Around 152 chartered flights from the UK travelled to the area out of 987, second only to Russia’s 742.
The region also saw an increase in cruise ship visits, with 25 vessels carrying 22, 233 people visiting in the 2012/13 period.
Dilip Parulekar, tourism minister at Goa said its government continues to improve its infrastructure for tourists.
“We are delighted to see the upswing in the arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists, which touched an all-time high. Goa has emerged as a preferred destination for MICE, weddings and also leisure. Positive steps have been taken by the Government such as introduction of water sports policy, security force on Goa beaches, improvement of tourism infrastructure, marketing and promotional efforts, etc. which have paid off good dividends,” he said.
“However, for a sustained inflow, there is always scope for improvement, and we are working hard to further the cause of tourists’ comfort in Goa,” he added.
