How far will the draft Goa tourism bill travel?

PUBLIC FEEDBACK

The deadline for public feedback to the draft Goa Tourism Promotion and Management Bill, 2024 that expired on July 6 has been extended by 15 days.

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte says the bill aims to “give a new dimension” to tourism and regulate it even as it would create jobs and boost the economy. It involves all stakeholders.  

GOA TOURISM BOARD

Put up on the ministry’s website, it mentions creation of Goa Tourism Board, which will plan and sustainably develop State’s tourism in a way that would be beneficial to both locals and tourists.

ITS MANDATES

The Board will manage the newly created Goa Tourism Development Fund. The bill mandates every ‘tourism enterprise’ to be registered and payment of registration fee by them.   

FURNISH DATA

It envisages Tourism Integrated Information Infrastructure to collect, record, monitor, manage, analyse and disseminate data and information related to tourism.

GUILTY OR NOT

It states, a person, whose activities cause or likely cause injury, danger, annoyance to the sense of sight, smell, or hearing or may be dangerous or injurious to health or property of a tourist would be “guilty”.

NUISANCE OFFENCE

Offences include pestering or forcing tourists to buy goods and services, consuming liquor in unpermitted places, cooking in the open and littering. These 'offences of nuisance' would be fined under the Act.

EXTENSIVE BILL

It also defines touting as an offence liable to fines. Besides, it also covers other areas of tourism like carrying capacity, sustainable development, adjudication of disputes, enforcement of the Act, etc.   

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