PANAJI
Until recently, shacks were unique to Goa, as there are hardly any places within India or in the world, where tourists can have a beer and food, dance to the best of tunes and still be so close to the sea.
Naturally then, Maharashtra government's recent announcement that it has plans to have shacks on its coasts has made shack operators in Goa extremely worried.
Cruz Cardozo, president of Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), said, "The tourism in Goa will get affected, if Maharashtra comes up with shacks. Many Indian tourists come to Goa just because of shacks."
Reports had it that Maharashtra government has plans to create shacks exactly like in Goa by offering alcohol and food to tourists. Moreover, the neighbouring State is also going to have CCTV installation systems on coasts for better surveillance.
Cardozo continued, "The infrastructure is really bad in Goa. There is no parking at Cavelossim, Betalbatim and Utorda. None of the beaches in South Goa have public toilets."
Shack operators said that Goa will really have a tough time, if Maharashtra ends up creating better infrastructure for shacks tourism. The threat is more in the longer run. In the short run, even Maharashtra government will have to make efforts to improve infrastructure in its coastal areas.
Dharmesh Saglani, president, Private Shack and Hut Owners Association of Goa, said, "There are many unspoiled beaches in Malvan in Maharashtra, which is not far away from Goa. If such places end up having shacks, the tourism in Goa will definitely get affected."
John Lobo, owner of Goodluck Shaga at Baga, said, "I don't think tourism in Goa will get affected unless shacks come up in nearby parts of Maharashtra like Malvan and Shiroda. Moreover, alcohol is really cheap in Goa, which is a major draw for tourists."
Alcohol may be cheap in Goa, but food in shacks and restaurants is very expensive compared to Maharashtra. Moreover, tourists in Maharashtra may end up going to their own state for shacks because they will have to travel much lesser.
In the long run, the only way to deal with competition from shacks in Maharashtra is by improving infrastructure in Goa.
Saglani continued, "We need ease of doing business in Goa. The state government must implement a single window clearance system for all licenses pertaining to shacks."
Lobo said, "It takes so much time to do any infrastructural project in Goa. There are no public toilets at so many beaches in the state. This issue must be addressed."
