Panaji: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to cut unnecessary foreign travels, the Goa government on Thursday issued an office memorandum restricting official visits of public servants with immediate effect. The restrictions also apply to already sanctioned foreign travel plans, permissions for which now stand cancelled.
Government directive on foreign travel
The office memorandum issued by the finance department states that the restrictions have been imposed in view of the global scenario and to conserve foreign exchange reserves. The order will remain in force until further notice.
Impact on tourism department
A government official said senior officials of a few departments and, at times, ministers travel abroad for study tours, but the tourism department's expenses are high as its participation in road shows and travel marts is inevitable. In 2025-26 (up to January), Goa Tourism participated in events in Muscat, Dubai, Denmark, Norway, Uzbekistan, Russia, Singapore, London, Bahrain, and Malaysia. With the ban on foreign travel, an official said the department will not be able to execute its marketing plans in foreign markets until the order is withdrawn.
The decision aligns with the central government's efforts to reduce unnecessary expenditure and strengthen the country's foreign exchange reserves. The Goa government has instructed all departments to comply with the new regulations immediately.
