Early demarcation clears way for shack season from Sept 1

Officials of the Tourism Department demarcate the beach shacks at Cavelossim beach.

MARGAO
Tourism officials on Friday carried out demarcation of the beach areas at Cavelossim, Benaulim, Colva and Betalbatim, paving the way for the erection of beach shacks for the coming tourism season.

President of the Goa Shack Owners Society, Cruz Cardozo, told 'The Goan' that this is perhaps the first time in the history of beach shacks that the Tourism Department has carried out the demarcation in August.

Cardozo further said erection of beach shacks by the operators will start from Saturday, adding that the beach shack season will officially begin on September 1 this year.

The President of the Goa Beach Shack Owners Society further said the Society will cooperate with the government to identify and report to the Tourism Department for necessary action against instances of sub-letting of the beach shacks.

Welcoming the development, Cardozo thanked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte and Tourism Director Kedar Naik for extending assistance and cooperation to the beach shack operators. “At the July 10 meeting, the Chief Minister had taken personal interest in resolving the issues faced by the beach shack owners. A similar gesture was shown by the Tourism Minister and the Director of Tourism to address our grievances,” he said.

To a question on the sub-letting of shacks, which raised its ugly head last tourism season, Cardozo said the Beach Shack Owners Society has taken over the responsibility to identify shacks, if any, sub-let to outsiders. “The Society is against sub-letting of the beach shacks. We will cooperate with the Tourism Department in this respect,” Cardozo added.