26 May 2020  |   06:10am IST

Starred hotels in N Goa’s coastal belt ‘allowing’ backdoor entry for tourists!

Hotels registered with the travel websites are reportedly accepting online room reservations by charging Rs 1,500 and above per night; Govt says it has not permitted any hotel to operate; Locals say allowing such illegal activities, is like inviting coronavirus at home

Team Herald

MAPUSA: The State government is on record for stating that it has not permitted any hotel to operate; however, it’s shocking that some starred hotels in North Goa’s coastal belt have been reportedly accepting online bookings for tourists.

It has been revealed that several starred hotels registered with the travel websites are reportedly accepting room reservations by charging Rs 1,500 and above per night.

The nationwide lockdown has badly hit the State, especially, the tourism industry as thousands have been rendered jobless. However, it is learnt that the starred hotels in the coastal areas of Calangute, Candolim, Sinquerim, Mandrem and Morjim have been reportedly taking the advantage of the situation by providing online room reservations, “assuring” safe and hygienic stay for tourists.

The government is on record that only those hotels having District Magistrate’s permission are allowed to operate as quarantine centres. 

“How can the starred hotels operate without government permission? If these hotels can accept reservations through backdoor then there is every possibility that they may have made arrangements for tourist arrivals. These hotels are in residential areas and allowing such illegal activities, is like inviting coronavirus at home”, Alex Fernandes, a local said.

“It appears that the government and with these starred hotels are working hand in glove or else how can these hotels accept reservations. People will come and check in and then roam around the State and the people unaware will fall prey to the virus. The authorities are acting as one. The number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise and the government is more focussed on getting tourists to Goa”, Rajesh Naik, a resident of Mandrem alleged.

Feigning ignorance on the hotels in the coastal belt accepting online bookings, Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar said, “I am not aware of the hotels accepting online reservations. Some hotels are registered with government as quarantine centres, but the State has not yet permitted any hotel to operate. We want tourists to come, but they will have to go through the quarantine process. Also the Home Department is main authority to grant permissions to hotels to operate”.