PANAJI
The much-awaited Caravan Tourism Policy has been notified with the government aiming at a partnership between the private operators and existing accommodation facilities to develop caravan parks.
The notification states that as caravan tourism is a new concept for the State, the Department of Tourism encourages private operators to tie up with existing branded hotels, resorts, guest houses, jungle lodges and develop Caravan Parks in the premises of the accommodation unit. “The private operators can also develop stand-alone caravan parks at scenic locations, post receiving adequate licences and No Objection Certificates from extant Government authorities,” it said.
For operational requirements of caravan parks, safety and security, site development and land requirement, movement and parking, tourist facilitation centre and waste management infrastructure related to caravan parks, the notification states that the Policy for Development and Promotion Caravan and Caravan Camping Parks of Ministry of Tourism should be considered as the guiding document.
The notified policy, valid for three years, also mandates all caravans to be mandatorily registered at a Regional Transport Office (RTO) in the State with another condition that any kind of caravan operations whether intra-state or inter-state be regulated by this policy. The government has also decided to reimburse the annual registration fee or Rs 1000 per annum, whichever is less, for the first 50 caravan vehicles for three years of commercial operation.
Other requirements for a caravan applicant are: The caravan should comply with Central Motor Vehicles Rules, and shall have a minimum of four wheels; the caravan at the time of first registration with Goa Tourism with old chassis, should not be older than 3 years; sofa and bed for minimum two people; kitchenette with cooking facility, fridge, and microwave oven; toilet cubicle with hand shower and sufficient fresh water and waste-water storage; 230V single-phase internal power system with UPS and external plug point; motorized caravan vehicle to be Bharat Stage VI compliant; caravan would enable themselves with GPS facility; hygiene & safety and environment-friendly practices; eco-friendly caravans shall be given preference.
