Tourism representatives in Goa have asked the chief minister to hold the next assembly elections at the end of February, outside the busiest visitor months. They argue that a December vote would interfere with the main source of income for hotels, operators and local businesses, and damage the state’s reputation as a leading destination.
In a letter to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa noted that polls are likely in December 2026. The previous assembly election took place on 14 February 2022. Association president Jack Sukhija wrote that December marks the height of the tourist season, when large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors arrive for Christmas and New Year celebrations. This period accounts for 12 to 20 percent of yearly revenue for the sector.
Holding elections then would bring rallies, security measures and the model code of conduct, leading to traffic problems and limits on events and nightlife that tourists expect. Such disruptions could discourage return visits.
The group asked for the vote to be moved to late February to protect jobs and maintain a positive experience for visitors. Recent figures show domestic arrivals have risen, reaching 1.08 crore in 2025, while foreign numbers remain below the 9.37 lakh recorded in 2019, partly due to global conflicts and visa issues.
