Goa, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, is trying to redefine its image. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte envisions transforming this popular vacation spot into a premier destination for digital nomads. “Digital nomads represent a high-spending segment that significantly boosts the local economy. We already host over 10,000 digital nomads from within India, and we aim to increase this number by creating the ideal environment for remote work,” Khaunte shared in an exclusive interview with Skift.

The state’s plan involves rolling out high-speed internet across rural areas and developing coworking spaces along its iconic beaches. “By next year, we should have the infrastructure in place with beachside coworking spaces and high-speed internet to attract digital nomads and freelancers who don’t follow a typical 9-5 schedule,” Khaunte explained.

Statistics support Goa’s ambitions: according to a KPMG report, approximately 35% of the state’s population is involved in direct jobs in the tourism sector. With over 900 million internet users, India is the second-largest online market in the world. Yet, internet penetration remains below the global average, with around 643 million people still offline. Addressing this gap, Goa aims for 100% internet connectivity, making even the most remote villages accessible to digital nomads.

Promoting Goa as a digital nomad haven also involves showcasing India. “Digital nomads typically don’t stay in one place for more than three months, so they’re likely to explore multiple destinations within the country. This broader movement within India could enhance tourism nationwide, benefiting various regions beyond Goa,” Khaunte noted.

Mayur Sontakke, the founder of NomadGao, a co-living and coworking space for digital nomads in India, highlighted the importance of reliable internet, a supportive community, and favourable weather for attracting remote workers. Despite challenges such as power outages and transportation bottlenecks, Sontakke believes Goa has the potential to compete with popular digital nomad destinations like Bali and Phuket. “The Goa government was very proactive, which gave me the confidence to settle in Goa to start a digital nomad-focused coworking and co-living venture,” Sontakke remarked.

Goa is also advocating for a digital nomad visa from the Indian government. This visa would allow digital nomads to stay in Goa — and anywhere else in India — for up to a year while working remotely for foreign-based employers or freelancing. “These visas allow longer stays and address tax concerns, attracting remote workers. Countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan have already launched their versions. A pan-India digital nomad visa could significantly boost Goa’s and India’s appeal to long-term visitors, who contribute to the local economy and bring valuable skills and knowledge,” Sontakke stated.

Despite facing tough competition and infrastructure challenges, Goa’s proactive approach and strategic initiatives could turn it into a digital nomad hotspot. As Khaunte optimistically put it, “We Goans are always positive!”