The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has recently appealed to the State government to streamline processes for events and weddings, through a single-window online system. The TTAG’s argument is based on the fact that licencing processes are cumbersome because there are multiple departments involved -- the State Pollution Control Board, Fire and Emergency Services, PWD, Electricity Department and even coastal nods if held near the shore.
The truth of the matter is that under the current system, the organiser faces numerous hurdles in seeking those clearances and in the bargain leaving enough room for corruption to prevail. Events have been a major attraction in Goa lately, and there is no denying the State is seen as a wedding destination, but the systemic hurdles do not bode well for this idea.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated while campaigning in Goa that “Wed in Goa” will be one of the focus areas of his government, implying that the State is a perfect stage for destination weddings. Last December, Modi gave a clarion call for a “Wed in India” movement titled “India says I do” with a focus on not only encouraging affluent Indian families to host weddings in India but also to draw foreign couples to tie the knot here. The Indian wedding market is massive, and if one goes by the KPMG report, an estimated Rs 3-4 lakh crore was spent annually a few years ago. Goa can tap into this segment in a big way, given the goodwill it has as a beach destination.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has amplified the thought of promoting Goa as a wedding destination and explained how the State could open up new vistas through this segment and simultaneously give a further push to tourism. However, these ideas have not culminated in a concrete plan of action. The government has not created an ecosystem for beach weddings and under the current protocol where there are severe restrictions on outdoor events, promoting Goa as a destination for weddings is a ridiculous proposition. The current time regulations act as an impediment to high-spending tourists
The sound restrictions, time restrictions and logistical issues are standing in the way. But again, this is a very sensitive issue which is socially connected. When the issue came up in the Legislative Assembly last time members argued that the sound ban would weaken Goa’s appeal as a wedding destination and negatively impact tourism, hospitality and the entertainment industry. Sawant had assured the House that his government is willing to create special venues for hosting destination weddings.
On the flip side of the story, there's a contrast. Locals along the coast have been up in arms against events that go late into the night and even the wee hours of the morning with blaring music played non-stop. In the excitement of seeing Goa as a hospitality hub or a wedding destination, such violations cannot be permitted because they infringe upon the basic rights of individuals and disturb the peace of living.
If the State government is seriously considering the avenue of opening up Goa as a destination for weddings it must understand the sensitivity of noise pollution and define zones so that the common man’s life is not affected. The sad irony is that the talk of ‘beach destination’ is hollow and without any thought.
