Goa's New Headache: The Unregistered Second Home Problem
Goa, the land of sun, sand, and relaxation, is a dream destination for many. But it seems even paradise has its share of problems. Recently, Goa's Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, voiced a significant concern that's causing a stir: the rise of unregistered "homestays" operated out of residential properties, especially those bought by people from Delhi and other states during the Covid-19 pandemic.
What's the Big Deal?
Imagine buying a peaceful apartment in Goa, only to find the flat next door constantly hosting loud parties with new tourists every few days. That's exactly the issue being raised. Many people bought second homes in Goa during the pandemic, and instead of using them for personal getaways, they're now renting them out to tourists through popular online travel sites.
The problem, according to Minister Khaunte and local MLA Michael Lobo, is that these aren't your typical registered hotels or guesthouses. They're residential units operating as illegal holiday rentals, leading to several headaches:
- Safety and Security: With a constant flow of unknown visitors, residents in these complexes feel unsafe. There's no proper record of who's coming and going.
- Noise and Nuisance: Tourists often treat these residential spaces like party zones, leading to loud music, drinking in common areas, and general disturbance for permanent residents.
- Unfair Competition: Legitimate hotels and guesthouses in Goa have to follow strict rules, pay taxes, and get registered. These unregistered units bypass all that, creating an uneven playing field and costing the state revenue.
- Infrastructure Strain: More tourists in residential areas put extra pressure on local resources like water, electricity, and waste management, which aren't designed for commercial tourism.
What's Being Done?
Minister Khaunte isn't taking this lightly. He stated that the tourism department is actively monitoring online platforms to identify these unregistered accommodations. The real challenge, he says, is tracking down these "second homes" that are flying under the radar.
To tackle this, the government plans to: * Work closely with housing societies, encouraging them to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. * Involve local municipal bodies and village councils (panchayats) in the crackdown. * Encourage residents to use the tourism department's toll-free helpline (1364) to report unregistered stays.
While Goa already has a 'Homestay and Bed and Breakfast Policy' (introduced in December 2023) to regulate smaller accommodations, it seems this policy primarily focuses on promoting tourism in rural areas and doesn't fully address the issue of residential flats being misused for short-term rentals.
The message from the Goan government is clear: while tourism is vital, it cannot come at the cost of residents' peace, safety, or the integrity of the state's tourism sector. If you own a second home in Goa and are renting it out, it's time to get it registered and play by the rules!
No comments:
Post a Comment