The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, has issued a directive mandating all Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs) operating within the state to register under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act, 1982 and the Rules of 1985. OTAs have been given a deadline of 15 working days from the issuance of the official circular to complete this process.
This move is part of the state government’s broader initiative to bring all tourism-related services under a unified regulatory framework. The objective is to enhance oversight, ensure compliance with tourism norms, and improve the monitoring of accommodation listings across the state.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte stated that OTAs are also required to list only those accommodations, hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and similar properties, that are officially registered with the Goa Tourism Department. The registration process has been streamlined and can be completed online through the department’s portal, which provides specific forms tailored for online tourist service providers.
The directive is a response to ongoing concerns about unregistered accommodations and aims to ensure better safety, service quality, and transparency for tourists visiting Goa. OTAs that fail to comply within the stipulated timeframe may face strict action from the authorities.
This initiative marks a significant step in tightening tourism regulations and is expected to impact not only OTAs but also small guest houses and homestays seeking visibility on these platforms.