Proving that the apprehensions of the hospitality industry over decline of Russian tourists in Goa in recent years, the Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said Russians topped the list of foreign tourists during the season 2015-16 season.
According to statistics tabled by him in the Assembly, between October 2015 and May 2016, considered to be chartered season of the State, 1,06,754 Russian tourists visited Goa. Tourists from United Kingdom ranked second with 34,549 visitors while Ukraine ranked third.
Goa received 798 chartered flights which brought 1.88 lakh foreign tourists to Goa for a short time during the last tourism season.
During question hour Mr. Parulekar admitted in a written reply that there was no increase in the number of chartered flights. the State.
Goa, a destination of international repute attracts nearly 4 million tourists to the State, annually, including around 0.5 million foreign tourists.
