Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Rohan Khaunte has called for a strict and sustained crackdown on illegal touts operating in Goa’s tourism belt, saying that awareness campaigns alone are insufficient to address the issue.
Khaunte said accountability must be fixed at the police station level, with local authorities taking responsibility for monitoring and curbing illegal activities in their jurisdictions. He expressed concern that repeated instances of touting and related offences are harming Goa’s reputation as a tourist destination.
Emphasising the need for proactive enforcement, the minister urged action against organised tout networks and repeat offenders, stating that failure to act decisively could further erode public trust and visitor confidence.
Separately, Khaunte also raised concern over recent viral incidents along Goa’s coastal belt, noting that such visuals are damaging the state’s tourism image.
He said he has briefed Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on the matter and will pursue it seriously. Stressing the need for prompt action, Khaunte said enforcement agencies must respond swiftly to incidents that risk projecting Goa in a negative light.
Highlighting that tourism management involves multiple departments, Khaunte called for stronger coordination among agencies to ensure effective regulation and promote responsible tourism practices.
He reiterated that protecting Goa’s image requires consistent enforcement, accountability and a collective approach across government departments.
