PANAJI, July 27 -- : Goa's tourism department expects a rise in charter tourist arrivals this year as veteran operators return ahead of the upcoming tourist season, the department said in a statement.

The statement said Goa has retained long-standing charter operators from markets such as the United Kingdom, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Poland and that discussions were underway to introduce new charter operations from Belarus, Armenia, Moldova and Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).

Tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said his department was encouraged by the emergence of new source markets which present significant opportunities to expand Goa's global tourism footprint.

On average, international visitors arriving on charter services stay in Goa fo...