India, Oct. 31 -- Goa's tourism has witnessed a growth of 6.23% in the number of arrivals between January and September this year as against the same period last year, Goa's tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said on Friday.

The state, which had suffered during the pandemic as foreign arrivals dried up, also recorded growth in the number of foreign visitors, receiving 3.36 lakh arrivals between January and September this year, compared to 2.59 lakh during the same period in 2024, Khaunte said while addressing the press.

The minister accused social media influencers of "targeting Goa during the last quarter of every year (when Goa's tourism season starts) in order to influence tourists to not come to the state." He added that this year, Goa ...