Goa tourism minister’s latest grievance: ‘People from Delhi… who bought second homes here during Covid’

“There is a growing concern among Goans regarding illegal homestays in buildings and unregistered homes and estates. This unregulated activity is causing anxiety among the residents and raising concerns of safety, security and infrastructure strain. In buildings, if there are 50 flats, ten are given on rent for short-term holidays. No one keeps a track of who moves in and out. They drink in the common spaces [of the building complex]…play loud music,” Lobo said.

Lobo added, “I urge the government to take decisive action to crackdown against unauthorised homestays and ensure strict enforcement of registration norms and protect the interests of residents.”

Tourism Minister Khaunte said the department is actively monitoring accommodations listed on online travel agency platforms to ensure they are registered with the authorities.

“We are keeping a regular watch on accommodations listed on online travel agencies. The government has ensured that all the inventory of hotel rooms and guest houses is registered with the tourism department. The issue is…that people from Delhi and other places who bought second homes here during Covid. Tourists come and stay in those homes and residential buildings. We have no details of these registrations. This is a serious issue because we are losing business [to unregulated and unregistered guest houses],” he said.

He said that “many second homes and residential buildings are being misused for tourist stays without informing the authorities.”

“The people who come to these second homes and operate them as tourist accommodations often do so without proper registration. This needs to be addressed on priority,” said Khaunte.

The Minister said the government will work towards finding a sustainable solution that protects the interests of both residents and the tourism sector.

Khaunte added, “The Registrar of Cooperative Societies should be taken into confidence. Societies must remain alert and are encouraged to call the tourism department’s toll-free number 1364 to report unregulated stays. The department is in continuous coordination with municipalities and panchayats to address this issue.”

Goa government notified the ‘Homestay and Bed and Breakfast Policy’ to standardise services to tourists through homestays and Bed and Breakfast [B&Bs] establishments in December 2023. The objective of the policy was to streamline registration and to regulate the operation of homestays and B&Bs and augment the supply of accommodation units to cater to the growing demand in the state. Its primary focus was intended to promote tourism in the hinterland talukas of the state.

According to data shared in the assembly last year, at least 230 homestays and Bed and Breakfast establishments have been registered with the Department of Tourism in the state.