Seeks stricter enforcement, urges societies to report violations
MAPUSA
Acknowledging the rising problem of second-home owners illegally renting out their apartments to tourists, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Sunday said the government is considering imposing restrictions to curb the practice, which is increasingly causing nuisance in residential neighbourhoods.
Speaking in response to concerns raised by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Khaunte said that while homestays registered on platforms like Airbnb are legitimate, it is important to differentiate them from unregistered units that flout the law and operate unchecked.
“Many of these second-home owners rent out their flats to tourists without any registration or compliance,” Khaunte said.
While raising the issue during Zero Hour, Lobo said these tourists come for two or three days, park their vehicles indiscriminately, sit in their cars drinking, play loud music and disturb the peace of entire housing complexes.
Lobo stressed the need for regulatory action against such offenders.
“We need to bring in certain restrictions and will explore appropriate legal measures to tackle those who are renting out apartments illegally and disturbing local communities,” Khaunte said.
The Tourism Minister also reiterated the government’s focus on enhancing safety and security in key tourist areas.
He appealed to residents and housing societies to remain vigilant and report such illegal rentals and disturbances by dialling the tourism helpline number 1364.
“Public cooperation is vital. Without community involvement, enforcement becomes difficult. We are urging all housing societies to report such incidents so that action can be taken swiftly,” he added.
Tourism authorities have long faced challenges in regulating the growing number of unregistered accommodations, many of which escape taxation and skirt safety norms.
