Goa: Tourism department cracks down, sends 38 illegal hotels showcause notices
Times of India | 11 hours ago | 10-11-2022 | 11:53 am
Times of India
11 hours ago | 10-11-2022 | 11:53 am
PANAJI: In the last two days, 27 hotels and guesthouses in South Goa and 11 in North Goa were issued showcause notices by the tourism department for operating illegally. “We have decided to name and shame illegal operators because, despite simplifying registration procedures and giving ample time to register, many have continued to operate, albeit illegally. We will deal with them strictly,” a senior tourism official said. The names of illegal hotels and other properties are made public so that tourists are not affected and they are aware before booking a room in any hotel about its legal status, the official said. It is mandatory for hotels, guesthouses, flats, bungalows and flats that are used as accommodations for tourists to register with the tourism department, a requirement under the Goa Registration of Tourist Trade Act. The legislation also empowers the tourism department to impose a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh on an erring entity, disconnect supplies of water and electricity, and seal it, if management still fails to comply with the law. “Those who intervene or oppose the process or break a seal, will be dealt with separately under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC),” he said. Tourism department, he said, has a special team to gather intelligence and track illegal hotels. Besides, deputy directors have been instructed to conduct inspections and take note of such properties and initiate action against them. “They (designated officers) can walk into a property and ask to see a registration certificate and issue a showcause notice to those not having it,” the officer said. A team of the Goa Electronics Ltd (GEL) has been helping the department to monitor social media to map illegal accommodations, he said. The officer warned that none will be spared, including high-profile people who offer a stay in their plush homes at a premium rate without registering it with the tourism department. Over the last few months, 700 to 800 hotels and other types of accommodations have registered with the department, who previously conducted business without registering. Over the years, while the hotel lobby bitterly complained about growing unregistered room inventory in the state, especially in the state’s coastal belts, the tourism department could not do much without strong legislation. The law was strengthened in July giving the department more powers to act against illegal operators.
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