PANAJI
The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has raised objections to several provisions of the new Goa Tourist Promotion, Management and Regulation Bill 2024 as the government is set to table in the upcoming Assembly session.
In a media statement, the TTAG claimed that the proposed bill presents a haphazard framework that will harm rather than improve tourism in Goa.
“The Act speaks more about penalties, punishments, fines and fees which lead to increase in costs to the industry and Government controls in every area of tourism without providing any framework for 'Promotion, Management and Regulation' of tourism,” it stated.
One of TTAG's major concerns is the bill's deviation from the Policy that aimed to replace the Tourist Trade Act of 1982 with a new Regulation Act to promote greater participation in the Tourism Promotion Board. The association stated that the proposed bill fails to align with recommendations and its denomination.
The TTAG also objected to a provision imposing a two per cent Tourism Development and Sustainability Fee on the invoice value by tourism enterprises. The association argued this is uncalled for. It further stated that sustainability fees, as seen in countries like Bhutan, Portugal, and Switzerland, are typically charged to tourists rather than local industries.
“First of all levy of fees is a payment for services rendered, unlike a tax which is imposed on every person without any service being demanded by the payee. The payment of the fee is in exchange for services rendered or to be rendered. It is said that the sustainability fee is for the purpose of funding the Board and its activities. If it funds the Board it cannot be called a sustainability fee. It would be a tax,” it said.
TTAG also pointed out inconsistencies in statements made by the Minister of Tourism Rohan Khaunte regarding the fee's application to "Tourism Clusters," which have not been constituted or identified.
“Minister of Tourism also stated in his press conference that the two per cent will be charged only as regards “Tourism Cluster”. However no tourism clusters are constituted or identified at the moment... The statement of the Tourism Minister is therefore incorrect,” it added.
The association further criticized the penalties outlined in the bill stating they lack a basis and pointing out that no offenses are defined.
“There are many other flaws in the new bill,” the TTAG said while seeking a consultative process and stakeholder input before the bill is presented before the Legislative Assembly.
