Goa Tourism Registration Help

[Amrita34]

Hi All. I recently started listing my apartment in North Goa on Airbnb. A lawyer helped my to obtain the tourism license and seems to have applied under "Hotel" category. Due to this I am now being sent show cause notices by the Pollution department. 

Could someone guide how to amend my registration to the correct category and what are the the requisite permissions/documents to be obtained for the same? Do I need to convert my electricity to commercial for this? 

I really appreciate any advice I could get on this matter.

[Emilie]

Hi @Amrita34, 

I'm sorry to hear you're running into some difficulties with your registration! Is the lawyer who was helping you initially not able to help correct this error?

I will bring in a few other hosts who have properties in the area, to see if they have any insights on how to get this sorted: @Pradeep79 @Mohammed-Ammar0 @Gaurav143 

Thanks everyone 🙂

Emilie

[Amrita34]

Hi @Emilie, 

Thanks for your response. The lawyer who was helping me isn't very responsive unfortunately and we've been having a difficult time working with her. 

I am unable to even contact the Department of Tourism on any of the numbers provided by them to help me on this and also unable to contact the Pollution Control Department for support. 

It would be great if you can connect me with any host in Goa who could guide me on this matter.

Thanks,

Amrita 

[Siddharth95]

Hey @Amrita34 , Did you get any help in this ? i am also in this situation and I have been told by the Goa tourism officials that I cannot register the property as a homestay if I dont stay in that building . It has to be registered under " hotel / guesthouse" category only .
Later the pollution control board advised to apply for air/water consent on www.goaocmms.nic.in. 

[Amrita34]

Hi @Siddharth95 

I haven't been able to get much support on this. The procedure to apply for the consent on the website provided is so complicated and all the helpline numbers given on their website are unreachable for days on end. 

The tourism department numbers - nobody picks up the phone. I don't reside in Goa and visit once in a couple of months so this is becoming a bit challenging to get in touch with the right person and move this forward. 

As per my understanding, we need to come under category D, Homestay, Bed and Breakfast. Technically we are a Bed and Breakfast, we even have a manager residing on the premises to assist the guests. 

Did you have to convert your electricity to commercial from residential? My lawyer guided me to do the same but when I enquired with the tourism department some months ago they said it wasn't required for BnBs. I am a new host and want to be fully compliant with the local laws.

[Siddharth95]

Hey @Amrita34 , I too reside outside Goa and visit once in few months. I sent one of my friends who is a local to the tourism department and to the pollution board. The tourism board advised me to book under category C since I don't have a caretaker residing inside the property premise. In your case, since you have a manager residing in the premise , I think you can list under category D. You can refer to the link below and read the categories of accomodation.
https://homeyhuts.com/article/state-regulation/Homestay-Regulations-for-Goa.?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Later my friend went to the pollution board and they suggested to apply for airwater consent for fresh / renewal  . Since your property falls under category D , I am not sure if you need to apply for this . However, the official at the pollution board said that everyone , irrespective of the type of accomodation, needs to apply for this to avoid any issue in the future. Again, you need to get this confirmed for your case.

In case you need to apply for it which is a tad bit complicated, you need to visit goaocmms.nic.in and apply for CTE (Consent to eastablish) if the unit has not started or apply for CCA (common consent application)- for renewal,  if the unit has already been started . Whatever the case is , you will need documents required while filling all this .

Lastly, a suggestion, online things work slow so a personal visit to their office to get a better understanding and get the job done might help.
Please let me know in case you get any fresh update on this that might help me too as all this is very confusing and I shall do the same , thanks