KARSTEN MIRANDA
karsten@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: As Goa’s tourism season approaches its traditional end this month, shack owners across the coastal belt have expressed mixed views about business this year. Cruz Cardozo, president of the Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), described the season as “not too good, but not too bad” — somewhere between expectations.
Unlike previous years, they noted that licences were issued early this time, allowing them to open in time for the peak tourist period. “We were happy that this year, we got our licenses early. This allowed us to set up our shacks in time,” Cardozo said, adding that last year they had missed out on the Diwali tourist rush due to delayed licensing.
Cardozo suggested bringing all tourism stakeholders together on a single platform to address issues affecting the industry.
SOWS has already taken up several concerns, including the stray dog menace, lack of changing rooms, inadequate toilet facilities at beaches, poor illumination in some areas, and a new proposal for joint sewage collection and disposal through a common sewerage pipeline to be implemented by the authorities. While acknowledging action by the tourism department against touts and hawkers, Cardozo maintained that “more needs to be done in terms of infrastructure and amenities available to tourists,” stressing that Goa must reclaim its status as a premier destination.
A key issue raised by shack owners is the burden of high overhead costs, which has forced some establishments to shut down, while others are struggling to stay afloat. Cardozo confirmed this trend but pointed out that many shacks had a good run for about two-and-a-half months, from December to late February. South Goa shack owners expressed particular concern about the shift of major airlines to Mopa airport, which has led to a drop in international flights arriving at Dabolim, affecting their footfall.
Another shack owner observed that foreign tourists typically leave by March, while domestic tourists continue to visit through April and May — as it also coincides with schools’ summer holidays.
Some shack owners also raised concerns about negative social media campaigns and called for government action against influencers who they claim are deliberately damaging Goa’s image. They said that this year Goa came under unusually sharp criticism on social media, which hurt business. They believe this was a targeted campaign rather than just organic reviews. However, they added that Goa continues to enjoy a strong connection with repeat visitors, who can share the real story of why they return.
There is also growing recognition that tourists are increasingly opting for other destinations. A tourism stakeholder involved in tours and travel said Goa is becoming expensive and stressed that reasonable pricing is necessary to support the local workforce.
Industry voices also suggested promoting experiential tourism and cultural tours, especially in the rural hinterland, to offer visitors a deeper connection with Goan culture. Attractions beyond the beaches are gaining popularity and could help diversify the State’s tourism appeal. Stakeholders also highlighted the need to attract tourists from new international markets, noting that the traditional markets have declined—largely due to global factors like the Russia-Ukraine war.
TTAG chief flags tourist
accomodation glut, calls for course correction
KARSTEN MIRANDA
MARGAO: Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) President Jack Sukhija has described the outgoing tourism season as “steady,” while cautioning that not all industry segments fared equally well. He pointed to a mismatch between rising tourist arrivals and an even faster expansion in accommodation supply, saying the middle segment has been particularly hard hit.
“Overall it has been a steady year. There have been pockets which have done well, others which have been steady, and some—especially in the middle segment—that have been hit badly,” said Sukhija while responding to queries from Herald about the season. “There has been a steady increase in numbers, but the capacity increase has been much more. We need to find a way to slow down the growth in supply and at the same time ensure that local communities benefit.”
Responding to the ongoing debate about whether Goa is losing ground to competing destinations, Sukhija called for balanced growth and better planning. He said structural issues need urgent attention to preserve the state’s appeal.
Among his key recommendations is the introduction of technology in the transport sector to bring about transparency in fare discovery and improve the tourist experience. Cleanliness is another area of concern: Sukhija said highways, approach roads, and access routes to tourist areas must be kept clean, and wayside littering should be tackled head-on.
He also advocated for a phased reduction and eventual ban on single-use plastics across the state. On improving Goa’s core beach tourism experience, Sukhija listed several measures: cracking down on touting, enforcing limits on loud music from beach shacks, building proper sewerage and toilet infrastructure, and creating safe, designated swim zones for single women.
Sukhija also flagged unregulated development as a growing issue. He called for discouraging “squatting and ugly tin construction in the fields,” which he said detracts from the natural landscape. Additionally, he urged the state to implement a transparent licensing process for weddings and other tourism-related events, which have emerged as a major part of Goa’s hospitality economy.
Concluding his remarks, the TTAG chief underscored the need for firm action against touts who harass tourists—an issue that continues to mar Goa’s reputation despite repeated complaints.