FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Tourism is the main stay of Goan economy. Studies suggest that tourism in Goa is growing @11% annually. As a result there is a constant need for infrastructure, such as hotels, resorts, stays and transportation. This has put immense stress on the existing infrastructure of Goa which has given rise to ad-hoc solutions.
There are plenty of five- and four-star hotels in Goa having rooms ranging from 70 to 300 in a single property. However, the flow of tourists in Goa is so big that the existing infrastructure doesn’t seem to be enough to accommodate such huge influx of tourists. This deficiency has given rise to apartments being rented to tourists for short stays.
However, as this is an ad-hoc arrangement and the government has absolutely no control, it is creating major problems for residents, locals and moreover a major security threat to the entire State. Ever since the tourism department opened the portal for registration of homestays, they have been flooded with owners registering their apartments for renting them out. Surprisingly, the cooperative societies or the promoters of the project have no role left in deciding the use of the building.
Though the Tourism Minister has stated that there will be a Homestay Policy soon, there is no word being spoken on action against the illegal unauthorised homestays that have thrived in the tourism belt of Goa.
It may be recalled that the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) had claimed that 60% of hotels in the tourism state of Goa are illegal. However, a study conducted into the tourism trade quantified that a whopping 76% of the tourism operation in Goa is illegal.
Realising the gravity of the problem, the Tourism Department had asked the unauthorized homestay owners to register on to their portal. However, the department has received a very lukewarm response to their invite.
A senior citizen residing in a gated complex in Candolim has expressed his disgust over the manner in which the unauthorized homestays are operating in Goa. “It is a threat to the law and order of the State. There needs to be some sort of a registration and guidelines for these unauthorised homestays that are sprawling across the state,” he said.
He also revealed that when he contacted a Tourism Department Official to inquire regarding the rules and regulations of having homestays in gated complexes, the official said “there are about 20 thousand homestays in Goa”.
“As far as our society is concerned no one is registered. The Home Department speaks of security for its citizens while the Tourism Department allows developing homestays in residential complexes. Why this doublespeak?” questioned the senior citizen from Candolim.
“Though the power of allowing or disallowing homestays in the complexes lies with the society of the complex, not many are seen objecting to the commercial use of residential premises. The societies need to stand up now and stop the commercialization of their complexes and avoid the misery that follows,” he suggested.
Panch of Velim village Frank Viegas said, “The illegal homestays in Goa are not just causing revenue loss to villages, and a burden on skeletal services, but also a law and order threat. There was an incident in Shirvodem, Navelim, some years ago where dangerous explosives were found in a flat that was rented in this similar fashion.”
Goa is soon going to touch the figure of 80 lakh tourists. According to surveys, the tourism in Goa is growing at 24%. Flats and houses in village panchayat areas of Goa are being rented to tourists while the Government insists on having tenant verification for all households renting out their premises.
The District Magistrates of North and South Goa had in an order under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code of 1973, ordered owners of houses, buildings, flats, hotels, lodging, paying guests, religious bodies and other residential accommodation in North Goa to compulsorily conduct tenant verification.
The order by District Magistrate, North, stated that in view of the prevailing situation in the country and intelligence inputs regarding possible threats along the western coast of India and the possibility of antisocial elements with an intention of committing crime in Goa and elsewhere staying in house, flats or building premises on rent, it is necessary to ensure proper verification of the antecedents of persons staying in residential accommodation on rent or in hotels, lodging and boarding, private guest houses, paying guest accommodation including that of religious bodies, etc.
The order also said that any person contravening this order shall be punishable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. However, the unauthorised renting of premises continues till date.
When contacted, the Deputy Director of Tourism, Rajesh Kale, said that ever since the department opened the portal for registration of homestays and other tourist accommodation, maximum registrations have been for flats, villas and apartments in residential areas.
“Homestays are registered under a different category. However, flats are classified under the D category,” Kale informed. The Deputy Director also informed that “the registration only needs an ownership document, GST registration (if applicable) and identity card”. “As far as homestays are concerned we have adopted the central policy,” he added.
The unauthorized homestays are taking a toll on the businesses of the hotels as well. Tejan Karekar, a hotelier from Colva said, “Not just the hoteliers and the Government, but also the guests fall in trouble if some untoward incidents occur. The homestay infact have to be given a little relaxation so that it is easy for them to register. This will encourage them to register and get their business formalised.”
The President of the Small and Medium Scale Hotels Association, Serafino Cota criticised the Government’s approach towards the homestay policy. Cota said, “The Government’s homestay policy is only to approve the second homes of people from Delhi, Haryana, Mumbai, Bangalore; and we object to it.”
“We were made the members of the Empowered Committee to form rules, policies and guidelines for tourism in Goa by the Tourism Department. However, not even a single meeting has been held and we are now being told that the policy is ready,” he said.
There is an objection by the people staying in the gated communities who are co-owners of the entire complex as they have to bear the brunt of the rooms being let to tourists and the negative impacts it is having on the society.
David D’Cruz, a resident of a gated colony in Soccorro, said that the Cooperative Society of their complex has taken a decision to not allow any tourists using the flats like lodges. “In the rules and regulations of the society we have put clauses that prevent any resident or owner of the flat from renting his apartment to strangers or extract commercial benefits,” D’Cruz informed.
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa President Nilesh Shah is however looking at the future. He said, “The registration of homestays has been started and it will help regularise, streamline the homestays.” Shah said that the Government has given time to register and those who fail to do so will face action.
