Panaji: With police pressing for closure of shacks by 11 pm, shack owners operating shacks along North Goa’s beach stretches have demanded that the shacks be permitted to operate beyond 11 pm citing losses.
While some want the operations of shacks to be permitted till 12 am, some want it to be extended beyond 1 am as they have excise licence to serve liquor till 1 am.
“The police are forcing us to shut the shacks by 11 pm due to which we are losing out on business. Shacks should be permitted to operate at least till 12 am,” said Cruz Cardozo, president of Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), adding that the shacks get business during late hours.
Police directive comes following two back-to-back cases of assault on tourists at beach shacks in Calangute recently.
As per the Goa State Shack Policy 2023-26, the timing for operation of beach shacks shall be from 7 am to 11 pm.
“Just because of one or two incidents, all the shacks are being targeted. If the police wants to carry out strict enforcement, they should do it for all businesses including starred hotels and clubs. Why are they being allowed to operate past midnight?” he questioned.
Cardozo said that they would soon seek an appointment with Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to discuss the issue.
SOWS general secretary John Lobo pointed out that though they have paid additional fees for excise licence to serve liquor till 1 am, they were asked to close the shacks at 11 pm.
“We have excise licence to serve liquor till 1 am so we should be permitted to operate till then,” he said.
“Some shacks receive tourists during the day and they would not be interested in operating during late hours. Some may be comfortable operating their shacks till 11 pm. And there are some tourists who prefer to go to the beach shacks only to enjoy nightlife. In this case, those shacks may be allowed to operate late,” he said.
Shack owners apologise for violence, say will offer better hospitality experience for tourists
Calangute : The General Secretary of the All Goa Shack Owners Welfare Society, John Lobo, issued an apology to tourists for recent incidents of violence, including murder and assaults, at beach shacks.
“I humbly apologise to tourists visiting Goa for these unwanted incidents. We have urged all shack owners to refrain from retaliating in cases of unruly behaviour by tourists. We are committed to fostering good tourism practices, including extending the best hospitality to visitors,” Lobo said, addressing the media.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said that the incidents have tarnished Goa’s reputation. “These incidents have brought shame to Goa and Goans. We need to change our mentality and collectively ensure good tourism practices,” he said.
Michael said that the responsibility of providing a positive experience to tourists rests not just with shack owners but with all stakeholders, including taxi operators, rent-a-taxi/bike owners, hoteliers, and guest house owners. “If we fail to maintain neat and orderly tourism practices, we are heading for dark days. Everyone in the tourism sector must show restraint and professionalism,” he added.
The Calngute MLA said beach shacks hold a unique appeal for tourists and asked shack owners to conduct their business responsibly.
“If shacks operate in an orderly manner, restrictions like time limits could eventually be relaxed by the police,” he said.
