Panaji (PTI): Goa is getting tourists from newer locations in Russia after the Centre's decision to relax visa norms for persons travelling from that country, authorities said here.

"In the past, we saw tourists only from Moscow but this time individuals from places like Yekaterinuburg, Leningrad and St Petersburg are coming to Goa," Tony Fernandes, Superintendent of Police (Immigration) told reporters on Friday.

These new arrivals have been attributed to the central government's decision to relax visa norms for Russians by allowing entry into India on temporary landing permits (TLP) for 14 days.

"We do not insist on a visa, since the Indian embassy is located in Moscow. It would have been difficult for these tourists to approach our embassy officials," he said.

Official figures revealed that of the 82,515 foreign tourists who reached Goa by air between September to December last year, about 17,632 hailed from Russia, making it the second largest contingent of tourists after the British.

A total of 27,542 Britons arrived during this period. Figures also point to a nearly 15 per cent drop in the number of tourists landing in Goa by chartered and scheduled flights.

The coastal state also attracted chartered and scheduled flights from other countries like Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Italy and Sweden amongst others.