With the Goa government getting strict on shutting down loud music by 10 pm, putting a curb on the number of beach beds and reducing the number of tables that shacks can place outside their premises, tourism stakeholders have complained of losses suffered in business this year even as Goa experiences its 'peak season' with the New Year just a day away. The shacks have become 'chill-out' zones with music falling quiet at 10 pm, whereas in earlier years,
beach shacks were 'party zones', said local tourism stakeholders, according to a report by Joseph Zuzarte and Karsten Miranda in The Times of India. The primary reason for this damp mood setting in, according to stakeholders, is the reduction in the number of beach shacks, followed by the reduction in deck beds. Shack operators allege that while they are being sidelined, the government has been favouring big-time organisers of music festivals who are 'outsiders'. John Lobo, General Secretary, Shack Owners Welfare Society, said, "During the election campaign, Manohar Parrikar had assured a good shack policy where shack operators' interests would be protected, but as Chief Minister, he has increased restrictions in the shack policy. Business for local stakeholders, especially shack owners, is poor as the government has not only reduced the number of deck beds (only five) per beach shack, but also the number of tables in shacks. This has brought down the overall business. Obviously, we cannot get live music for a small crowd when we get no benefit out of it."
beach shacks were 'party zones', said local tourism stakeholders, according to a report by Joseph Zuzarte and Karsten Miranda in The Times of India. The primary reason for this damp mood setting in, according to stakeholders, is the reduction in the number of beach shacks, followed by the reduction in deck beds. Shack operators allege that while they are being sidelined, the government has been favouring big-time organisers of music festivals who are 'outsiders'. John Lobo, General Secretary, Shack Owners Welfare Society, said, "During the election campaign, Manohar Parrikar had assured a good shack policy where shack operators' interests would be protected, but as Chief Minister, he has increased restrictions in the shack policy. Business for local stakeholders, especially shack owners, is poor as the government has not only reduced the number of deck beds (only five) per beach shack, but also the number of tables in shacks. This has brought down the overall business. Obviously, we cannot get live music for a small crowd when we get no benefit out of it."