Team Herald
PANJIM: The Department of Tourism while strongly condemning the attacks on tourists has warned all guest houses and resort owners to take necessary measures to provide security at their premises.
The resort owners have been directed to check the credentials of staff before providing employment, obtain a police clearance certificate (PCC) and get a labour card from the Labour Department for non Goans employed with them.
The stern warning has been issued after show cause notices were issued to two guesthouse owners wherein foreign tourists were attacked here by the staff and the employers had practically no record of their employees.
The Department has strongly condemned such incidents and has prioritised the safety of tourists so that they have a positive and secure experience while visiting Goa.
Tourists have been advised to book accommodation with only hotels and guest houses registered with the Department of Tourism.
In the notice, the owners have been asked as to why action should not be taken against them for causing injuries to the tourists at their premises and have been asked to submit their replies within seven days from the date of notices issue.
It may be recalled that the Pernem police had arrested one Abhishek Verma, a native of Uttarakhand, for allegedly attempting to rape and grievously assaulting a Dutch woman tourist and a local person, who came to her rescue. The assailant was employed at the hotel as a bartender.
The attack evoked anger across the State which soon prompted the police to take strict measures in order to stop these incidents in the future.
