Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced in the legislative assembly that the state government is actively lobbying the Centre to include both Goa International Airport at Dabolim and Manohar International Airport at Mopa in the visa-on-arrival scheme.

Responding to queries, including from BJP MLA Michael Lobo, Khaunte noted that while the e-visa program covers over 170 countries, the visa-on-arrival facility is limited to Japan, South Korea, the UAE, and Russia, and is currently available only at six metro airports like Delhi and Mumbai.

The state has raised the issue with the Union Civil Aviation Minister and plans to discuss it with Home Minister Amit Shah, alongside engaging the Ministry of External Affairs. Khaunte emphasized that post the assembly session ending August 8, detailed discussions with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and stakeholders will aim to secure this facility.

The minister highlighted increased connectivity to new markets like Poland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, driven by global roadshows, with tourist data now tracked via the Tourism Information Management Enterprise software.

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