Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Tourism Department has now allowed shacks to continue operating, contingent on weather, in response to appeals from shack owners throughout the state.
“The Goa Tourism Department has announced its decision to grant an extension to the shack operators, subject to weather conditions,” stated Minister of Tourism Rohan Khaunte. He added that if the monsoon strikes the state, they will have to stop operations.
According to Khaunte, the purpose of this action is to guarantee that shacks will always be available for visitors to enjoy Goa’s beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere.
The Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS) had pleaded with the Tourism Department to give the shacks a brief extension to continue operations despite their mandatory closure on May 31 due to an influx of visitors.
According to SOWS President Cruz Cardozo, “We had requested the extension as there were many tourists vacationing on Goa’s beaches, especially Calangute, Candolim, Benaulim, and Colva.”
He said, “Many operators shut their shacks in March itself,” indicating that the tourism season did not go well. Due to the delay in completing the policy, we lost the first two months of the season. We have also requested that shack operators finish by June 5.
According to him, the Tourism Department ought to grant all required authorizations by August, in advance of the forthcoming season, enabling shack owners to start constructing their structures as the season draws near.
Additionally, he stated, “We have urged the department to have a single window system for all clearances.”
