May 29, 2025: On May 28, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced that the Goa government is stepping up its efforts to boost monsoon tourism by displaying distinctive cultural festivals and events that increase the coastal state's allure during the rainy season.
A detailed plan to draw tourists during the "off-season" was recently developed by Khaunte and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in discussions with stakeholders, including hoteliers and airline officials. The onset of the southwest monsoon has created prospects for inland adventures but made its beaches hazardous for swimming.
"The terror attack in Pahalgam changed things for the business, but Goa had a 10% increase in tourist foot traffic during the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year," Khaunte added. Following the April 22 incident [in Jammu and Kashmir], he said, the industry experienced a decline in tourist numbers, with the impacts continuing into May.
The tourism sector is currently attempting to reposition Kashmir as a "safe destination" as the situation has stabilized following the successful completion of Operation Sindoor, Khaunte continued.
In the meantime, Goa received 1.04 crore tourists in 2024, comprising 4.67 lakh foreign visitors and 99.41 lakh domestic tourists, according to government data. Goa is currently being repositioned as a feasible monsoon vacation destination by the government, led by Chief Minister Sawant.