Goa Targets Europe and Central Asia to Boost International Tourist Arrivals

Goa has allocated ₹2 crore for an incentive scheme to attract international charter flights in the 2026–27 financial year, as the coastal state seeks to expand overseas tourism through additional air links and destination promotions, officials said.

Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte said the programme is intended to encourage charter operators to include Goa in their schedules. Eligible flights can receive ₹2 lakh each, subject to conditions including a minimum passenger load factor of 70 per cent and a stay of at least seven days. The annual payout is capped at ₹35 lakh for each inbound tour operator.

The state’s international charter season began on September 30, when an Aeroflot flight from Yekaterinburg, Russia, arrived at Goa International Airport in Dabolim carrying 162 passengers. Russian charter services connect Goa with Yekaterinburg and Moscow, with flight frequency expected to rise during the season.

Goa is preparing to receive visitors from other overseas markets. Charter services from Manchester and London Gatwick in the United Kingdom are scheduled to begin in November. Kazakhstan connectivity is planned, with SCAT Airlines expected to operate services between Almaty and Dabolim, while Air Astana is scheduled to connect Astana with Manohar International Airport at Mopa. A Polish charter service is planned for the season.

The Tourism Department is working with airlines, charter operators, tour operators and industry stakeholders on international marketing and travel-trade partnerships. Promotional efforts are focused on established European markets and emerging markets in Central Asia, including Russia and Kazakhstan.

The government is promoting tourism experiences beyond the state’s beaches through its Goa Beyond Beaches initiative. The programme highlights village tourism, cultural heritage, local cuisine, wellness and adventure activities, with the aim of encouraging visitors to explore more destinations within Goa.

The charter incentive scheme and planned flight links form part of the state’s efforts to widen its international tourism base for the winter season. The government has identified improved air connectivity and destination visibility as priorities for attracting visitors from overseas markets.