Nearly 2 Million Visitors Arrive by Rail Between January and May 2026
Panaji, Goa (India CSR) Goa continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s most accessible and loved tourism destinations, with Indian Railways arrivals recording steady year-on-year growth during the first five months of 2026. According to the latest tourism arrival data, 19,87,862 travellers arrived in Goa by rail between January and May 2026 , representing a 6.8% increase over the 18,60,568 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025. The growth also reflects a 6.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024, demonstrating the sustained demand for rail travel to Goa.
Commenting on the figures, Tourism Minister, Rohan A. Khaunte, said, “The continued growth in railway arrivals reflects the increasing confidence travellers have in Goa as a year-round destination. Increased rail connectivity, expanding tourism experiences beyond our beaches, and our sustained focus on quality tourism are encouraging more visitors to explore the state over and over again. As we diversify our tourism offerings across heritage, spirituality, hinterland, wellness, adventure, culture and monsoon tourism, we expect this positive momentum to continue.”
The month-wise figures indicate continued momentum across the year compared to 2025:
| January 2026: | 4,43,621 arrivals (up from 4,25,913) |
| February 2026: | 3,56,319 arrivals (up from 3,43,921) |
| March 2026: | 3,59,131 arrivals (up from 3,20,195) |
| April 2026: | 3,74,691 arrivals (up from 3,66,033) |
| May 2026: | 4,54,100 arrivals (up from 4,04,506) |
The continued rise in railway arrivals highlights Goa’s increasing accessibility and its enduring popularity among domestic travellers choosing rail as a comfortable and economical mode of transport.
Commenting on the rise in numbers, Director of Tourism, Kedar Naik added: “The consistent rise in railway arrivals reflects Goa’s growing popularity, accessibility and the success of our efforts to promote tourism throughout the year. Rail connectivity continues to play a vital role in bringing visitors from across India, enabling families, groups and young travellers to experience Goa. As connectivity continues to improve, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to explore the many experiences Goa has to offer.”
The steady increase in railway arrivals demonstrates the positive impact of enhanced connectivity on tourism growth and visitor movement. As infrastructure continues to improve, Goa remains focused on building a resilient tourism eco-system that delivers long-term value for visitors, local communities and the state’s economy.
