The long wait for shack operators has ended, as they are set to commence the season in the coming weeks. The government has issued an order waiving off 50 per cent fees on beach shacks and deck beds for the tourist season 2020-21.
Shack operators had not applied for renewal of licence with the Tourism Department until the government had decided on the former’s demand to reduce licence and excise fees. Earlier this month, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant-led cabinet agreed to slash fees by 50 per cent, immediately after which shack owners applied for renewals.
Joint inspection teams accelerated the demarcation exercise across the beaches with the process at Mandrem, Morjim and Keri to be concluded shortly.
Cruz Cardozo, President of Shack Owners Welfare Society expressed his gratitude to the government and the Tourism Department for the quick and efficient demarcation of the beach shacks. He further stated that the process of demarcation was already completed in South Goa while the same is yet to begin in Morjim, Mandrem and Keri.
As per the beach shack policy for 2019-22, there are 260 shacks permitted in North Goa and 96 shacks in the South district during this period with renewals every year.
With the process nearly complete, shack operators have begun setting up structures along their respective zones. “If shack operators pick up pace to set up the structures, we hope to start the season before November 10,” Cardozo said.
A beach shack has to be erected using eco-friendly material, and costs run up to Rs 3 to 4 lakh. In view of the pandemic, operators are likely to keep it to a bare minimum. While most use pine wood and plywood, which is reused later, some amount of degradation is expected due to wear and tear.
The staff that had returned to their home states due to the lockdown in March is also gradually returning, however, the total strength will not be like the previous years.
With slim chances of a good number of international visitors, shack operators are relying on the movement of domestic travellers to break even.
The State is also facing huge competition from neighbouring Sindhudurg district that is likely to start beach shacks from this year. Maharashtra’s Tourism Department, in a bid to revive the tourism industry, has taken five major policy decisions, one of which includes setting up shacks across eight beaches on the Konkan coast.
