By IANS,
Panaji : Tourist numbers in Goa are expected to swell to 35 lakh during the forthcoming season, state Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters at the state secretariat, Parulekar said domestic tourists visited Goa in droves in the period from October to December, which had led to considerable footfalls for the department.
“We are expecting 35 lakh tourists this year. We have taken a lot of efforts to make sure that we surpass our number of last time,” he said.
Annually, Goa attracts 22 lakh domestic visitors to its beaches and nightlife spots every year.
Parulekar said this year, the state has already attracted over 16 lakh tourists and the festive season of December would see the turnout double.
“December has not even started properly. Once the month picks up, we will touch a 35 lakh target,” Parulekar said.
The minister has also predicted a rise of 50,000 in the number of foreign tourist arrivals this year to the 4.5 lakh foreign tourists who visit the state annually.