PANAJI
With Goa’s tourism sector at a crossroads, the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has made a fervent appeal to the State government to act decisively on a range of issues that are threatening to derail tourism prospects.
The TTAG, during the stakeholders' meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday, submitted a detailed representation listing long-standing concerns, ranging from some rogue taxi operators and illegal lodging to a garbage menace and lawlessness. Earlier, addressing a press conference, CM Sawant assured to resolve all issues while also issuing a stern warning against any attempt to tarnish Goa’s image.
Among the most pressing issues was taxi operators, which TTAG, led by its President Jack Sukhija, stated had plagued tourists for years through exorbitant fares, harassment and lack of transparency.
Stating that despite the presence of app-based services, drivers are afraid to join due to threats from powerful taxi unions, the association demanded immediate implementation of the Goa Taxi Aggregators Guidelines 2025 and opening up of the market to all taxi apps.
It also proposed the formation of a “Taxi Action Empowered Committee” headed by the DGP and comprising officials from the Tourism, Transport, Police, Collectorate, and TTAG itself. The committee should act swiftly against harassment by taxi unions, especially at hotels, where coaches and app cabs are routinely blocked.
On cleanliness, the association flagged the garbage problem beyond beaches as another deterrent to tourism, stating that while beach cleaning is handled by a tourism-appointed agency, approach roads and municipal areas remain in filth.
“Appoint a similar professional agency under the PWD or Panchayat Department to maintain cleanliness throughout Goa. A public helpline for reporting dirty areas should start,” the TTAG recommended.
Illegal hotels, villas and homestays continue to operate without a licence, draining state revenue and putting legitimate businesses at a disadvantage. TTAG asked the government to compile a comprehensive list of such units and initiate strict action.
“Likewise, roadside stalls and shanties mushrooming in tourism zones are tarnishing Goa’s image. The Collectorate should identify and demolish all encroachments after land verification,” it further suggested.
Citing frequent altercations between tourists and locals, along with the growing nuisance of touts, TTAG urged Goa Police to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy. Such incidents, it warned, are scaring away both domestic and international travellers.
Incentives for charter flights to boost inbound tourism ahead of the season, and a reduction in GST and excise duties to help businesses recover were among other suggestions placed before the government.
