Proposed Goa Tourism Bill 2024 faces industry backlash, ET TravelWorld News, ET TravelWorld

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) has raised serious concerns regarding the proposed Goa Tourist Promotion, Management, and Regulation Bill 2024. This bill, set to be introduced in the forthcoming Assembly session, aims to implement the recommendations of the Goa Tourism Policy 2020. However, industry stakeholders argue that the bill, in its current form, is flawed and could harm the tourism sector in Goa.

Key concerns raised by TTAG
Deviation from Tourism Policy 2020: The proposed bill significantly deviates from the recommendations of the Goa Tourism Policy 2020. The policy, developed by KPMG between 2012 and 2020, involved extensive consultations with stakeholders. The bill lacks provisions for democratizing the Tourism Promotion Board, which were central to the policy.

Inadequate Industry Representation: The bill fails to include the eight industry representatives on the Tourism Board as outlined in the policy. This omission undermines the board’s intended democratic structure and reduces industry participation in decision-making.

Focus on Penalties Over Promotion: The bill primarily emphasizes penalties, fines, and fees, with little attention to tourism promotion and management. Stakeholders argue that this punitive approach could stifle the industry rather than support its growth.

Questionable Sustainability Fee: The proposed 2 per cent Tourism Development and Sustainability Fee is a significant point of contention. TTAG argues that this fee is akin to a tax, lacking the direct service correlation required of a fee. Additionally, there are concerns about the fee’s implementation and potential for arbitrary adjustments.

Overregulation and Double Taxation: The bill imposes extensive regulatory controls and penalties on tourism enterprises, leading to higher operational costs. TTAG warns that this could make Goa less competitive compared to other tourism destinations.

Lack of Infrastructure and Service Enhancements: Unlike the Tourism Policy 2020, which outlined specific functions for the Goa Tourism Board (GTB), the bill does not address infrastructure upgrades or service improvements essential for attracting international tourists.Ambiguities and Legal Issues: The bill contains numerous ambiguities, including undefined offenses, lack of grading in penalties, and provisions for registration and permits that could burden small businesses disproportionately. The industry fears these issues could lead to arbitrary enforcement and legal challenges.

TTAG has called for a comprehensive review and consultative process involving all stakeholders before the bill is presented to the Legislative Assembly. They emphasise the need for a balanced approach that supports both regulation and promotion of tourism to ensure sustainable growth for Goa’s vital tourism sector.

The concerns raised by TTAG highlight the need for careful consideration and revision of the proposed bill to align with the original intentions of the Goa Tourism Policy 2020 and to support the long-term growth and sustainability of Goa’s tourism industry.