Goa Tourism Department: Revised Rules To Know Before You Go

The
revised
advisory/guidelines/SOPs
have
been
announced
by
the
Goa
Tourism
Department
in
order
to
promote
responsible
tourism
and
guarantee
the
security
of
visitors.
Read
on
to
learn
various
rules
set
by
Goan
Government.

Also,
as
per
reports,
anyone
found
to
be
breaking
the
rules
established
by
the
government
or
failing
to
comply
with
the
rules
will
be
liable
to
a
punishment
of
INR
5,000,
which
can
go
as
high
as
INR
50,000.
In
addition,
they
can
be
prosecuted
under
Section
188
of
the
Indian
Penal
Code.

Here
are
the
rules:

Rule
1:
Booking
Accommodation

In
the
latest
guidelines,
the
government
has
clearly
mentioned
and
requested
people
to
book
their
stay
at
only
legally
authorized
places
that
are
registered
with
the
tourism
department
and
avoid
booking
with
unauthorized
properties
at
any
cost.

Rule
2:
How
To
Rent
A
Vehicle

Make
sure
you
only
rent
vehicles,
no
matter
what
a
two-wheeler
or
four-wheeler,
which
are
registered
with
the
transport
department
and
they
must
have
a
valid
license.
When
hiring
cabs,
insist
on
metered
fares
to
avoid
overcharging.

Additionally,
please
note
that
driving
motorized
vehicles,
particularly
2-wheelers,
on
beaches
is
entirely
prohibited.
If
anyone
found
doing
such
prohibited
action
will
face
severe
penalties,
which
may
include
the
arrest
of
the
driver
and
the
seizure
of
the
vehicle.
Also,
make
sure
you
don’t
drink
and
drive
for
obvious
reasons.

Rule
3:
How
To
Save
Yourself
From
Scammers/
Touts

For
activities
such
as
River
cruise
or
water
sports
which
almost
all
traveller
wishes
to
do
once
in
Goa
be
very
careful
that
you
opt
for
only
the
ones
who
have
an
authorized
registration
certificate
from
the
tourism
department.
Avoid
falling
for
scams
that
offer
cheap
prices
and
trap
you.

If
booking
online
for
such
activities,
make
sure
you
cross-check
every
detail
about
the
authorization
of
the
agency
giving
services.

Travel
Tips
for
First-Time
Visitors
to
Goa

Rule
4:
Harming
Heritage
Site
Is
A
Punishable
Offense

The
government
of
Goa
expects
that
while
you
are
here,
you
refrain
from
spray-painting
graffiti
on
historic
buildings
or
attempting
to
destroy
them
in
any
other
way.
Everyone
should
be
accountable
for
preserving
the
past
for
future
generations.
Anyways,
harming
heritage
sites
is
not
right
in
any
way.

Rule
5:
Alcohol
Consumption

Regarding
alcohol,
it
is
against
the
law
to
consume
it
in
public.
Inside
licensed
establishments
like
hotels,
shacks,
restaurants,
etc.,
you
are
permitted
to
consume
it
responsibly.
Additionally,
take
caution
not
to
assist
drug
sellers
or
use
any
drugs,
as
doing
so
is
prohibited
and
can
lead
to
jail
time
&
other
severe
penalties.

Other
Rules
To
Be
Noted:

• Begging
  is
  prohibited
  in
  all
  tourist
  zone;
  hence
  every
  visitor
  should
  make
  sure,
  not
  to
  encourage
  such
  activity.
• Cooking
  in
  open
  areas
  and
  littering
  popular
  tourist
  places
  in
  not
  allowed.
• Every
  visitor
  should
  be
  extra
  cautious
  while
  clicking
  pictures
  or
  making
  videos
  of
  themselves
  or
  others
  especially
  while
  other
  tourists
  are
  swimming
  and
  sunbathing
  in
  their
  own
  zones.
• Taking
  selfies
  at
  dangerous
  points
  is
  prohibited
  like
  steep,
  sea
  rocks,
  cliff
  as
  it
  could
  lead
  to
  major
  accidents.