PANAJI
The State government has extended the existing beach shack policy for another year, opting against introducing a new framework ahead of the upcoming tourism season while simultaneously unveiling a series of measures to promote sustainability, improving beach surveillance and modernising coastal tourism infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters after a consultation meeting with the tourism officials and the ‘ambassadors of tourism’ on Monday, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced that the current shack policy would continue under the same terms and conditions for the 2026-27 season.
As a special measure this year, shacks will be permitted to remain operational till June 10 instead of the usual May 31 closure, subject to weather conditions.
“We had to decide whether to introduce a new shack policy or extend the current one, and the government and the Department of Tourism, along with the shack owners, have decided to extend the existing shack policy for one more year under the same terms and conditions,” Khaunte said.
The minister said the extension would provide continuity to operators while allowing the government to sharpen its focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance.
“We are implementing a focus on sustainability, specifically looking at how we can replace plastic and ensure we use sustainable products at the shacks, giving a very clear message of regenerative tourism,” he said.
The Tourism Department has also set an ambitious timeline for processing renewals for the forthcoming season. Khaunte said operators would soon be able to begin renewal applications under the extended policy and assured that permissions would be issued well before the start of the tourism season.
“The Department is committed to ensuring that for all those who apply, permissions are granted before August 15 so that they are fully ready for the season before September 1,” he said, adding that the government has been able to support the operators this year and ensure they are taken care of in the future as well.
He also added that concerns raised by operators had largely been resolved during consultations.
Among the new initiatives proposed for the upcoming season is the introduction of uniform identity cards carrying QR codes for all shack employees, a move aimed at strengthening verification and accountability.
The government also plans to deploy drones along Goa’s coastline and establish a centralised “beach lab” to improve monitoring of beach-related activities such as illegal touts, encroachments and other illegalities.
Khaunte also outlined plans to integrate digital infrastructure into Goa’s beach economy through “shackonomics”. Under the proposal, selected coastal stretches will be equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi to allow visitors to use beach shacks as co-working spaces while supporting tourism-linked businesses such as water sports operators.
“In certain coastal belts, visitors will be able to utilise the shacks as co-working spaces alongside those who come for water sports businesses,” he said.
The government is also considering temporary beachside pods within permissible Coastal Regulation Zone areas to create additional work and leisure spaces for visitors.
