Team Herald
MARGAO: Small and Medium Hoteliers Association of Goa President Serafino Cotta while slamming the amendment to the Goa Tourism Trade Act moved by Tourism Minister Babu Azgaonkar disclosed that charter flights have stopped arriving in Goa.
Briefing media persons, he said the amendment brought about by Babu Azgaonkar makes it mandatory for online portals undertaking bookings for tourists to be registered with the government. However, he pointed out that it is not mandatory for the places where the tourists will be housed to be registered with the government.
“This will increase the illegal tourism industry that has started in Goa where “gated premises” will be converted into tourist rest houses without any permission from the tourism or other departments,” he said adding that the government would lose revenue by way of taxes as these establishments would only be paying the house tax to the panchayat that has given them permission.
He said that recently in Calangute five sign boards of such illegally run guest houses were removed. He further pointed out to the problem that Carmona village had over a similar issue where influx of tourists in residential area disturbed the people.
He demanded that the Goa Tourism Trade Act be amended to make it mandatory for the places where the tourists would be houses be also registered with the government and pointed out that British Charters insist on Tourism Trade License before registering their guest in any place.
He said that even those offering home stays should be registered and be free to accommodate tourists. He disclosed that the Association has opened a cell called Sustainable and Responsible Tourism to guide such people.
In a startling disclosure, he said charter flights have stopped landing in Goa for the last three months and what are actually arriving are scheduled flights that only provide the flight to Goa and back to the home country.
“Charter flight included the stay whereas in the scheduled flights stay is not included and the tourists are free to go anywhere; as for visa it is only necessary to mention where you will be staying and not the name of the hotel,” he said.
Reposing faith in the new Tourism Director Sanjit Rodrigues, who he described as a good officer, Serafino suggested that the tourism minister consult the director and carry out the corrections in the Goa Tourism Trade Act.
