Decision on illegal guest houses was long due

The decision to bring in new norms to regulate illegal premises owned by small guest houses, flats, so as to bring these under the registration circuit for generating revenue to the State, was a long-pending one. It is hearening that the government has taken due note of it. The primary obligation of every establishment is to register under the trade license issued by the village panchyat to operate guest houses and villas. The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa has enlightened the Chief Minister on enforcing new norms to bring small and medium hospitality entrepreneurs under the Tourist Trade Act, 1982. The village panchayats issue trade licences for multi-residential complexes to operate as hotels and guest houses. These apartments are typically located within larger gated enclaves of flats with common facilities such as swimming pool , gym, a sauna, and so on and are treated almost solely as investment property by individuals who do not always demonstrate any commitment to the local community or responsibility toward the local economy. These furnished apartments or holiday homes are managed and advertised enmasse either as “rent backs” by the locally based agents or directly by the owners through private websites and networks abroad. These homes in a way are responsible for destroying the livelihood of locals and most importantly changing the demography and topography of the State.