MARGAO: As weddings and the event season is in full swing, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) has introduced a ‘Security Fee’ applicable to the open-air halls or lawns of hotels and resorts located in coastal areas that fall under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
According to the recent notification, the Authority has implemented fees amounting to Rs 700 per square metre for a duration of 7 years, with a cap at Rs 1.50 lakh. Alternatively, organizers can opt for a fee of Rs 10,000 per event for a maximum period of 5 days. Post the initial 5 days, an additional charge of Rs 5,000 will be applied for each subsequent day of the event.
It may be recalled that until recently, event management companies were obligated to pay the GCZMA scrutiny fee for authorization to host beach weddings and events.
However, the latest notification changes the protocol, requiring these coastal hotels in CRZ areas to obtain permission from the GCZMA for conducting open-air or lawn events on their premises, accompanied by the corresponding scrutiny fees.
According to the environment department’s notification, beachside hotels can choose between obtaining permission for open-air and lawn events for a duration of seven years or opt for a pay-per-event approach.
The notification specifies, “For a seven-year permission period, the GCZMA fee is Rs 700 per sq mts (not exceeding Rs 1.5 lakh) or Rs 10,000 per event for a period of 5 days and Rs 5,000 every additional day thereafter for that event.”
The notification further mentions that the fees that were previously associated with open-air halls will now extend to lawns of hotels and resorts in CRZ areas. Several coastal hotels have however expressed concern, anticipating that the scrutiny fee will contribute to increased costs, making beach weddings and events pricier in the ongoing tourism season.
