Porvorim, March 6, 2026: Reinforcing tourism as a key pillar of the State’s economic growth, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced an allocation of ₹385 crore for the Tourism Department in the State Budget 2026 during the ongoing Assembly session.
Of the total allocation, ₹269 crore has been earmarked under the revenue account while ₹116 crore will be spent on capital expenditure, aimed at strengthening tourism infrastructure and enhancing visitor experiences across the state.
The announcement comes as Goa continues to record strong tourism momentum. According to the government, the State welcomed over 1.08 crore tourists in 2025, marking a 10% increase in overall arrivals, while foreign tourist arrivals rose by nearly 20% compared to the previous year.
Welcoming the allocation, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said the funding reflects the government’s continued focus on strengthening Goa’s tourism ecosystem through strategic investments in infrastructure, skill development, and sustainable destination planning. He added that initiatives such as the Destination Management framework, wellness tourism policies, and enhanced hospitality training will help create integrated tourism experiences while ensuring long-term benefits for local communities and the environment.
The Chief Minister noted that the budget will support a range of initiatives designed to enhance Goa’s global tourism competitiveness. As part of efforts to revive international travel, the government will introduce an Inbound Tour Operators’ Incentive Scheme worth ₹2 crore, aimed at encouraging charter flight operations and boosting foreign tourist arrivals.
In a move to strengthen Goa’s positioning as a wellness destination, the government will implement the Goa Wellness and Ayurveda Policy 2026, which will introduce a structured regulatory and accreditation framework for wellness centres and practitioners. The State will also establish a dedicated AYUSH Department and organise wellness camps across Goa.
To address the growing demand for skilled professionals in the hospitality sector, the government will partner with a private industry player under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model to establish a state-of-the-art Hospitality Training Centre at Aguada–Sinquerim. The centre will focus on training and capacity building to support the evolving needs of the tourism and hospitality industry. Additionally, ₹3 crore has been allocated to formulate a PPP policy for tourism infrastructure development.
The Chief Minister also announced that 32 tourism-related projects being implemented by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation are expected to be completed during the current financial year. An additional ₹1.04 crore has been earmarked for beautification works linked to these projects to enhance destination aesthetics and visitor experience.
Beyond tourism-specific initiatives, the government announced ₹180 crore for the redevelopment of Vasco city, while the Manohar International Airport region will see the development of Mopa City, focusing on wellness, trade and sports infrastructure with support from the central government.
The Chief Minister further highlighted that the Directorate of Planning, Statistics and Evaluation is preparing a comprehensive roadmap titled “Viksit Goa”, aimed at guiding the State’s long-term sustainable and inclusive development strategy. In addition, the State Government plans to seek ₹500 crore from the Central Government to implement a large-scale Destination Management Scheme focused on integrated and sustainable tourism development.
Promoting spiritual tourism, the government has also allocated ₹25 crore for the purchase of land in Ayodhya for the construction of Ram Nivas, with work expected to begin this year. Plans are also underway to develop Vithal Rakhumai Yatri Nivas at Pandharpur and Velankanni.
With focused investments in infrastructure, skill development, wellness tourism, and destination management, the Goa Government reiterated its commitment to further strengthening the State’s position as one of India’s most vibrant and diverse tourism destinations.
