Goa’s fix to counter tourist ‘misinformation’: Regulate taxi fares, streamline beach weddings

“Stricter regulations for rent-a-car services were also recommended. A single-window clearance system for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and weddings was proposed to attract more events to the state,” Sawant said.

Sources also said there is a draft proposal to position the coastal state as a major destination wedding hub, which would attract higher tourist footfall, increase revenue, and boost GST contribution. “The objective is to promote scenic locations as prominent wedding venues while preserving Goa’s cultural ethos, environment, and social landscape,” an official said.

As per the draft proposal, the Department of Tourism will secure “blanket permission” from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) for wedding events on beaches, ensuring that applicants only need to apply to the Tourism Department. The Tourism Department will launch an online single-window platform to integrate schemes and statutory approvals, streamlining permissions and renewals to host weddings in Goa. A master plan for enhancing wedding infrastructure, beautification, and promotion will be implemented and monitored by the Empowered Committee for Regulations, Legislation, Licensing and Standards.

The draft proposal also says that to “strengthen wedding tourism infrastructure”, the directorate of panchayats shall issue an order stating that local panchayats will have no rights to grant permissions for wedding events held on beaches, as beaches are the property of the Department of Tourism/GCZMA.

According to the draft proposal, applicants will not be required to seek separate permissions for noise levels. However, the number of destination weddings per year at each approved venue will be regulated to prevent overcrowding, maintain ecological balance, and avoid nuisance.

The draft proposal says the government could propose some locations for destination weddings in the state. Among the locations suggested in the draft include all beaches in the state other than those in ecologically sensitive areas.

Taxi regulations

According to sources, at a conclave held with tourism industry stakeholders on Monday, concerns were raised about complaints from tourists against taxi services in the state, including exorbitant pricing, poor service, lack of transparency, speeding, and poor behaviour of drivers. Sources said the issue was brought up at the Tourism Board meeting, with a stakeholder calling for “allowing all taxi apps in Goa immediately” and for the formation of a “taxi action empowered committee”.

Such a taxi action empowered committee would be headed by the police chief and comprise officers from the Tourism Department, Transport Department, the police, and the collector’s office. It would be tasked with taking action against unruly taxis, providing protection to drivers under taxi apps and allowing vehicles to go to any destination.

“Due to fear created by taxi stands and unions, drivers are reluctant to join the app-based taxis that are currently operational. Taxi unions in some areas stop buses, tempo travellers, Goa Miles and others from providing airport pick and drops for guests at hotels and often do not allow these vehicles to take the guests,” the stakeholder said.

The Tourism Board also discussed initiatives to promote cultural tourism, such as the Ekadasha Teerth Circuit, global campaigns to counter misinformation, familiarisation tours, and targeted foreign media marketing campaigns.