Crackdown on such establishments, often fronts for illicit business, must continue
Tourism turned out to be a saviour for Goa in the form of a revenue generator after mining—once the backbone of the Goan economy—was shut down 14 years ago. This shift, in turn, resulted in the introduction of various ‘enticements’ to attract tourists to the state, right from the water sports to spas and wellness centres.
Many countries, like Turkey and Japan, have public bathhouses, which have already become tourist attractions. The Turkish bathhouse, or hammam, or a Japanese bathhouse, or Sento, treats bathing as a ritual focusing on the purification of the body. They feature a marble room where a full-body exfoliating scrub and a bubble massage are provided. Spas were introduced in India by the resorts and starred hotels, blending ancient Indian practices like Ayurveda and Yoga with modern Western spa technologies and international luxury brands.
The small-time spas and massage parlours which made an appearance in Goa as an alternative to such expensive services in resorts were largely driven by the tourism industry and often promoted by some of the local cabbies, touts, and tourist guides who received commissions. Many budget-friendly options, ranging from independent parlours to specialised centres, are mostly found to be concentrated in North Goa’s coastal areas. Such outlets have also mushroomed in the capital city, with the famous 18th June Road accommodating nearly two dozen spas and wellness centres. In fact, some MLAs had recently raised concerns in the state legislative assembly about the growing number of spa establishments along the particular road, which he described as turning into “Spa Street.” One legislator had also alleged that some of these businesses could be functioning illegally and called for stronger regulation.
Many such shady spas were found to have been operating under illegal setups without health clearances, as were some others acting as fronts for illicit activities. Common red flags include lack of visible branding, unsolicited offers of ‘extras,’ and being located in residential buildings. In a startling revelation, 21 out of 45 spas in Panaji were found to have bypassed the mandatory No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the health department. This discovery highlights a significant lack of coordination between the licensing and the enforcement agencies. The city police have stated that the 21 spas in question were non-operational during inspections. However, these establishments seem to have been active after obtaining a trade licence from the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) despite lacking the essential health department clearance. Following an inquiry, the police have submitted a report to the Deputy Collector of Tiswadi, confirming the unauthorised status of nearly half the city’s spas. A follow-up meeting of the police has resulted in clear directives being issued about ensuring that no spa operates in violation of legal provisions as well as effectively curbing any unlawful activities. The health department has further been tasked with reviewing and verifying all existing licences, fixing accountability, and ensuring strict scrutiny before future approvals.
It is very important that the government immediately shut down all ‘illegal spas’ without valid licences operating in the state, as they are also serving as fronts for prostitution and human trafficking. Last December, the South Goa district administration had sealed two spas in Colva following a report submitted by the Superintendent of Police. The action had resulted from raids conducted earlier, wherein nine women were rescued and three suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in running a prostitution racket. The state tourism should not run on the crutches of such filthy services, or else Goa will soon become a region of disrepute.
