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Time of India
11-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Destination weddings face huge regulatory burden, TTAG tells govt
Panaji: വിവാഹം The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to implement a single-window system through the Wed-In-Goa policy to streamline the complex process of obtaining permissions for weddings and outdoor events. Event organizers currently need at least nine different permissions, causing delays and administrative burdens that threaten Goa's position as a preferred destination for MICE events and beach weddings. Event planners must secure multiple no-objection certificates and approvals from various departments before approaching the collector for final authorization. The application process requires extensive documentation, including event layouts, contracts, ID proofs, ownership permissions, and affidavits. "Countless man-hours are lost in this licence raj," TTAG stated in their letter to the Chief Minister. The association particularly objected to the requirement of submitting contracts and client agreements, which they described as "privileged" documents not meant for public disclosure. The current system takes over 30 days to obtain all permissions, resulting in lost business opportunities. The cost of organizing events ranges between Rs 2-3 lakh, depending on the size, with additional charges being imposed by local bodies. The Village Panchayat of Majorda-Utorda-Calata in Salcete has proposed a fee of Rs 75,000 per wedding, further adding to the financial burden on event organizers. The process of obtaining sound clearance through the Goa State Pollution Control Board involves multiple departmental steps, creating additional delays in the approval process. TTAG has been raising these concerns with the government since 2023. During a Goa Tourism Board meeting, the Chief Minister verbally indicated support for streamlining the process. The association has proposed that all permissions should be available online. They suggested implementing a system where permissions would be considered approved if not issued within seven days. The growing MICE and destination wedding market presents significant opportunities for Goa. However, TTAG warns that excessive licensing fees and regulatory delays risk driving business to competing states. These reforms are crucial for boosting Goa's position as a preferred destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and beach weddings, according to the industry body.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'Don't sell land to Delhi people: Why is state agri minister warning Goans about Delhiites
Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik on Monday appealed to Goans to refrain from selling their ancestral land to builders and individuals from Delhi. He warned that the unchecked sale of land to non-Goans could leave locals landless and contribute to the decline of agriculture in the state. 'Delhi is hot and has a lot of pollution. During those days, people want to come to Goa. They buy homes here, buy land here. Goans should not sell their land to Delhiites. Goans should not sell their land to anyone,' he said. 'We should not sell our land, otherwise, Goa will not remain. There will be no land left for Goans. People can come here, have a picnic, and they must go back,' Naik told television reporters. 'We need to preserve our ancestral land. We get some tourists in jeeps who cook and eat on the roadside, create a mess, and go. What does Goa get from them? Nothing. We don't want such tourists who don't stay in hotels,' added Naik. Goa faces competition Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte has said the coastal state is facing competition from Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Indonesia, and steps will be taken to ensure that the footfall of tourists is unaffected during monsoon. He said monsoon festivals and trekking activities can be a big draw for tourists during what is traditionally not a peak season. Live Events Khaunte chaired a meeting with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), hoteliers and airlines earlier this week to discuss the promotion of monsoon tourism. He said Goa faced competition from the tourism markets of Vietnam, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and the industry has witnessed disruption following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. "Although Goa did well in the first quarter of the year, with 10 per cent growth compared to the same period last year, April witnessed a low," the minister said. He said the impact of the Pahalgam attack could be seen in the tourism industry in May, as several tourists cancelled their travel plans. The whole focus is right now on the monsoon tourism and how the industry can come together collaboratively and competitively, offer packages and promote "Goa beyond beaches" in the right sense, Khaunte said. He said the state has been celebrating monsoon festivals such as Sao Joao, Chikhal Kalo and Bondera and even organising treks, which can be a major attraction for tourists. "When we speak about competition from Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Indonesia, we are speaking about the pricing and also how we can make tourists spend more days in Goa," he said. Khaunte said the state needs to promote itself in a big way in UAE and the Middle East. "The hotel industry and the airlines have assured that they will put together ideas and curate the packages for tourists during monsoon season," he said.
