Panaji: The tourism department strengthened the documentation process for registration and renewal of hotels, homestays, shacks and watersports operators in the state, in light of the safety violations at several nightclubs. The department now made it mandatory for guesthouses and homestays to have a valid no objection certificate (NOC) from the directorate of fire and emergency services.While fire NOCs were generally obtained by starred resorts, Monday’s notification now required even spice plantations and small homestays to do the same.Tourism director Kedar Naik issued a notification with new rules towards streamlining the mandatory documentation for various touristic services as part of the govt’s efforts towards ease of doing business.In Aug 2022, tourism minister Rohan Khaunte took a decision to reduce the number of documents required by tourism establishments while registering or renewing licences. The department did not require hotels and homestays to submit a valid NOC from the directorate of fire and emergency services.Hotels will now be required to submit seven documents for a new registration instead of the earlier three documents, while homestays will have to submit three documents for new registrations and just a fire NOC for renewal.The tourism department also said that all residential units, apartments or villas being let out to tourists or for hospitality purposes must submit a NOC from the housing society or more than 50% of residents before being given for short stays to tourists.“All stakeholders involved in the tourism activities are hereby directed to submit the required documents, wherever applicable, and to ensure full compliance with the prescribed safety norms prior to applying for registration or renewal of the said activities,” said Naik.While the department termed the changes as a move to simplify administrative procedures, the number of documents required increased across several categories.Even travel agents now require a valid NOC from the directorate of fire and emergency services while registering or renewing their licence with the tourism department.Water sports operators have to possess third-party insurance coverage of Rs 2 lakh per person that they can accommodate on their vessel. The department said that only those tourist guides with 15 years of residence certificate issued by mamlatdar can be registered with the department.
