Goa Tourism Policy 2020

The Goa Tourism Policy 2020 is a 25-year governance and institutional framework designed to support the implementation of the Goa Tourism Master Plan 2016 (GTMP 2016). Rather than a standard subsidy scheme, this policy establishes the Goa Tourism Board (GTB) as a statutory autonomous body, redefines the operational roles of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and the Department of Tourism (DoT), creates the Goa Tourism Development Fund (GTDF), and outlines a comprehensive destination-development agenda across coastal, culture/heritage, nature-based, and leisure segments.

Tourism is the backbone of the Goan economy, with 40% of the population directly or indirectly dependent on it. Total arrivals grew from 2.3 million in 2005 to 7.8 million in 2017 (an 11% annual growth rate). Domestic tourists constitute 89% of arrivals, and the peak season (October-December) accounts for nearly half of annual traffic, placing acute stress on Goa's ecology and infrastructure. The policy provides a long-term governance framework to address this stress and implement the Master Plan.

Vision — Clause 2.1

To transform Goa into an innovative and Responsible tourism destination, while preserving Goa's attractions, unique historical and cultural heritage and its natural assets and providing ample opportunities for economic prosperity for all.

Cornerstone Principles — Clause 2.2

Policy Objectives — Clause 2.3

• •Become a customer-oriented tourism destination encouraging active industry participation.
• •Attract a healthy, sustainable mix of domestic and international tourists.
• •Balance coastal and hinterland development, enhancing local employment and supporting MSMEs.
• •Ease investment and reduce friction for holidaymakers through continuous process improvement.
• •Augment infrastructure capacity: accommodation, connectivity, water, waste management, and energy.
• •Incorporate modern data collection and statistics into the value chain via a Smart Tourism destination platform.
• •Maintain tourism as a key economic pillar while maximizing job generation and local entrepreneurship.

Three-Body Governance Structure — Clause 3

Dissolution of Committees

To streamline governance, the policy dissolves the State Level Marketing & Promotion Committee (SLMPC), the State Level Permission Committee (SLPC), and the High Powered Monitoring Committee (HPMC), transferring their functions directly under GTB direction.

Goa Tourism Development Fund (GTDF) — Clause 6

• •GTB recommends, administers, and monitors utilization of the GTDF for Master Plan projects.
• •Fund Sources: annual state budget provisions, levy of cesses on specific transactions, membership fees, and other charges identified by the Board.
• •Control: Budgetary allocations are placed under GTB's control. The Board may suggest one-time initial government contributions, grants-in-aid, or raise external borrowings.
• •Tourism Development Cess: The companion Board-formation notification empowers GTB to devise and facilitate the enforcement of a 'Tourism Development Cess' for development programs.

GTDC Pattern of Assistance — Clause 11.2

The 2013 Scheme on Pattern of Assistance to GTDC is modified to cover: executing infrastructure per GTB plans, submitting annual budgets for Board-identified projects, complying with codal procedures for time-bound fund utilization, and submitting utilization certificates.

GTDC Commercial Disengagement — Clause 8(e)

GTDC is committed to progressively disengage from direct commercial operations (hotel operations, halls, bus rentals, sightseeing tours, and cruises) over a ten-year period. Properties and assets (such as those at Colva, Anjuna, Britona, and Miramar) are being transitioned to long-term licensing or lease agreements with private operators.

A. Coastal Tourism — Clause 9.1(a)

• •Regeneration of beaches: access, parking, promenades, public toilets, security, and cleanliness.
• •Sand dune protection: sand and water quality safeguards, erosion control, and dune conservation.
• •Blue Flag Certification: pursuing global standards for select beaches.
• •Water sports zoning: segregating water sports areas from designated swimming zones.
• •Shack & hut licensing: shacks granted as special licences at sufficient intervals under the Shack Policy series, with beach huts restricted to prevent overconcentration.
• •Fishermen's markets & F&B: development of clean, hygienic food courts showcasing Goan cuisine.
• •Marinas: specifying development standards for small marinas and jetties at designated locations.

B. Culture and Heritage Tourism — Clause 9.1(b)

• •Infrastructure upgrades for historical and cultural assets (illumination, interpretation centers, signage, washrooms, and disabled-friendly access).
• •Tourism Villages: designating villages showcasing traditional Goan houses, local cuisine, and handicrafts.
• •Voluntary certifications: audit-backed certification for cafes, restaurants, homestays, and spice plantations.

C. Nature-Based Tourism — Clause 9.1(c)

Promotes ecologically sustainable development near nature clusters (spice plantations, myristica swamps, and estuarine habitats) with mandatory guide training, adventure sport safety standards, and small-vessel river cruises on inland waterways.

D. Leisure & Entertainment — Clause 9.1(d)

• •Formulating development guidelines for family entertainment districts.
• •Case-by-case evaluation of international-standard golf courses.
• •Casino Relocation: relocating off-shore casinos to a designated gaming cluster (offshore, onshore, or mixed mode) with strict operational guidelines.
• •Waterfront promenades and wellness centers with voluntary quality certifications.

E. MICE & Connectivity

Promotes mass events, festivals, and international convention centers, particularly during the lean season. GTB advises on road bottleneck removal, river connectivity (speed boats, catamarans, sea buses, sea planes), and coordinates marketing with Dabolim and Mopa airport operators.

F. Support Infrastructure — Clause 9.3

• •Tourist Information Centers: Staffed centers with interactive kiosks at all prominent entry points.
• •UNWTO Signage: Clear, consistent international-standard signage across circuits and roads.
• •Cleanliness: Garbage bin infrastructure, with GTDC responsible for cleaning and DoT for enforcement.
• •Public Amenities: Third-party contracted washrooms, changing rooms, and showers along beach zones.

Regulation of Tourism Acts — Clause 11.1

• •Trade Act Replacement: The policy commits to replacing the 1982 Registration of Tourist Trade Act with a 'Regulation of Tourist Trade Act' to strengthen enforcement.
• •DoT Enforcement: The Department of Tourism has the power to seal, close, or terminate the licences of non-compliant or unregistered tourist facilities (e.g., hotels).
• •Tourist Places Act: GTMP-identified hotspots are added to the notified list of places under the Goa Tourist Places Act 2001.
• •Registration Tenure: GTB is to review and potentially extend registration tenures for activities like boat rides to support business viability.

Compliance Checklist for Stakeholders

1. 1Register the Trade: All accommodation, travel, OTA, and guide businesses must file registration under the Registration of Tourist Trade Act 1982 with DoT.
2. 2Apply for Shack Allotments: Beach operators must apply within the current Goa State Shack Policy cycle (e.g. 2023–2026) for beach-edge deckbed or shack placements.
3. 3Secure Event Approvals: Event organizers must classify their events (Major or Minor) and file for approvals via the Single Window Permissions Committee.
4. 4Align with GTMP Siting: Destination-development projects (marinas, spice plantations, Tourism Villages) must consult GTB guidelines to match designated zones.
5. 5Apply for Voluntary Quality Labels: Operators seeking wellness, cuisine, or ecotourism quality labels must submit self-certifications for independent audit.
6. 6Utilize Human Resource Centers: Enroll workforce in guide, hospitality, and adventure-sport certification courses at the HRSCs.
7. 7File Grievances: Stakeholders and tourists route grievances through the online portal, with the Secretary (Tourism) as final arbiter.

Goa Tourism Board (GTB) Composition — 19 Members

Six GTB Departments

The Board's operations are divided into six departments: Licensing & Standards; Land & Infrastructure Development; New Tourism Services; Marketing & PR; Innovation Cell; and Statistics & Analytics.