PERNEM
Local residents and small hoteliers along the coastal belt who used to rent out their rooms will now have to register with the Tourism Department.
Confirming this, Tourism Minister Babu Ajgaonkar said “locals and small hoteliers letting rooms and houses for home stay to tourists have to compulsorily register with the Tourism Department and no compromise will be made in view of the security issues”.
Stating that there was a representation from some quarters to allow these small hotels and home-stays to rent out rooms without registration through online portal directly, he said this can't be allowed in the present circumstances.
"Tourism Department cannot compromise on security of State and nation. No doubt tourism industry and hotel business must grow, but such growth can't be in isolation. Coordinated tourism needs effective regulations to be adequately adhered to," Ajgaonkar said.
He said government is in favour of boosting tourism and house tax payment receipt is adequate enough for registration of hotels and rooms with the tourism department. “Those interested in getting the business must come forward to register their rooms too. In case they face any administrative hurdles they can approach me directly," he said.
Disclosing that Goa had more number of foreign tourists than what the records indicate, he said and this is not good in view of security of tourists and local businesses. “No hanky-panky with relation to security of the State can be allowed in name of tourism in the State, the minister said.
