Although apprehensive of the business prospects for the upcoming season, Goan shack owners are relying on tourism minister Francisco Mickky Pacheco to grant them early licenses to make up for the expected poor turnout of tourists.
Cruz Cardozo, president of the Goa Shack owner Association told TOI on Sunday, “We have requested the tourism minister and he has assured us that shack licenses will be issued early, at least by the end of September.”
Cardozo said the delay in issuing licenses last year seems to have effected tourist arrivals this year. Cardozo said, “There were not many shacks on the beaches till October last year.”
Beside the early allotment of shacks, shack owners are also demanding permanent allotments for the traditional shack owners. Cardozo said, “Getting permanent allotment is the first step. Once we are assured of permanence in the business, we can implement our other plans of garbage management and other improvement plans.”
The assured issue of license to traditional shack owners remains the main demand of the shack owners. That demand and other policy matters will be deliberated at the shack owners’ annual general body meeting scheduled for September 13 at Panaji. Cardozo said the shack owners have already submitted their demands to the government and are hopeful the tourism minister will consider it sympathetically. The shack owners’ demands have been framed in collaboration with the Centre for responsible tourism.
A Candolim shack owner said, “This year inflation is high and there are reports of a 20% drop in tourism. We are keeping our fingers crossed about our business prospects. Hopefully, our repeat clients will come as usual. Early grant of licenses will help,’’ he said.
Courtesy: TOI
