Panaji:
Tourists arrival in the state may rise up to 10 million by 2017, Goa Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar today said in Panaji.
"We may have 10 million tourists arriving to Goa by 2017, the year we will go for fresh elections (state Assembly polls)," Mr Parulekar told reporters after launching hot air balloon and amphibious vehicle service in the state.
He said the overall tourism has gone up by 12 per cent since the time BJP-led government took reigns of the state in 2012.
"The tourist arrival has been on the rise. There was a rise of nine per cent during last year and 14 per cent in the previous year. The decline was recorded because of a slump in arrivals from Russia," the minister said.
Goa receives around five million tourists annually.
Mr Parulekar said though arrivals of chartered flight have dropped this year, overall tourism sector has been witnessing a gradual rise.
"The visa-on-arrival facility introduced at the state-run Dabolim airport has aided in tourists arrival. Around 20,000 people came through the facility since its introduction four months back," he said.