Goa govt holds high-level meeting for tourism safety

Goa chief minister Dr. Pramod Sawant chaired a high-level meeting at the Mantralaya, Porvorim with tourism minister Rohan A. Khaunte, chief secretary Dr. V. Candavelou, director general of police Alok Kumar and director of tourism Kedar Naik; and senior officials of all concerned departments along with the tourism stakeholders. The goverment said the meeting was held in view of the recent anxiety and unrest within the tourism ecosystem and was convened to strengthen safety standards and implement robust, future-ready mechanisms across Goa’s tourism sector.

Minister Rohan Khaunte said that the government is taking every possible step to ensure that such incidents such as the fire at Birch, Arpora do not recur. He directed all departments and tourism stakeholders to put in place 'stringent' preventive measures and to strengthen coordination as Goa moves into the busiest period of the year. The chief minister emphasised that all potential hotspots including beach belts, waterfall zones, and areas with high visitor footfall must be closely monitored, and only licensed and compliant operations should be allowed to function.

The chief Minister reiterated the need for reinforced checks on adventure and water sports. He instructed that all operators must maintain strict adherence to safety norms, including continuous inspection of life jackets, equipment standards, and operational procedures.


The chief Minister stressed that fire and safety compliance in nightclubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues must be kept fully updated. Establishments serving liquor must operate strictly within authorised timings, and violations will result in cancellation of licences. He also instructed all tourism establishments, hotels, clubs, and nightlife venues to employ staff only after proper police verification. Visitors, meanwhile, have been advised to follow instructions issued by lifeguards at designated coastal areas. He further stated that Goa is the only state to have trained lifeguards deployed across its coastline, ensuring year-round safety for visitors.

The chief minister also emphasised the need for credibility and authenticity among tourism service providers. He stated that strict action will be taken against touts and bouncers, especially in situations where they create disturbances or engage in confrontation with tourists.