Goa Tourism Department Issues Stern Warning to Hotels Over Data Compliance
The Tourism Department of Goa has issued a firm warning to hotels, resorts, homestays, and guesthouses across the state, threatening to impose substantial financial penalties for non-compliance with mandatory data submission requirements. The department has expressed growing frustration over the persistent failure of numerous establishments to provide crucial tourist information through its dedicated digital platform.
Mandatory Data Submission Under Tourism Rules
According to official statements, the requirement for data submission is legally mandated under the Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Rules, 2022. These regulations stipulate that every person operating a hotel or accommodation unit must submit comprehensive statistics containing detailed information about their guests. This data must be provided on a monthly basis, with submissions required before the 5th of each subsequent month.
The department has specifically emphasized that submission of data regarding tourists, room bookings, and the nationality of visitors is not optional but compulsory. All establishments are required to comply using the department's Tourism Information Management Enterprise (TIME) software platform, which was specifically designed for this purpose.
Financial Penalties for Non-Compliance
Tourism Director Kedar Naik has confirmed that the department will now impose fines on establishments that continue to ignore the mandatory data submission requirements. "It was observed that several establishments failed to submit the requisite data despite repeated instructions, reminders and notices," Naik stated. "In this regard, it is hereby informed that a fine will be imposed on hotels and accommodation units that did not comply with the mandatory data submission requirements on the TIME software."
The penalty structure has been clearly defined:
- First default: Rs 10,000 fine
- Every subsequent default: Rs 25,000 fine
Alarmingly Low Compliance Rates
Despite these penalties and repeated communications from the department, compliance remains disappointingly low. Department officials have revealed that most hotels and guesthouses continue to fail in sharing data on a monthly basis as required.
The statistics paint a concerning picture of widespread non-compliance. Since April 2025, only 2,859 hotels in Goa have submitted data about tourist bookings through the TIME platform. This represents just 30% of all registered hotels and guesthouses operating in the coastal state, leaving a significant majority of establishments in violation of the regulations.
Purpose and Importance of the TIME Platform
Department officials have explained that the TIME application was introduced specifically for the systematic collection and monitoring of tourism-related data from all registered accommodation providers across Goa. The platform serves as a centralized database that enables the department to track tourist movements and patterns with greater accuracy and efficiency.
The tourism department depends heavily on this data for crucial analytical purposes. Officials use the information collected through TIME to compile comprehensive lists of country-wise tourist arrivals for inbound international travelers, as well as state-wise breakdowns for domestic tourists visiting Goa. This data is essential for:
- Tourism planning and development initiatives
- Marketing strategies and promotional campaigns
- Infrastructure development decisions
- Policy formulation and implementation
- Economic impact assessments
The department's renewed emphasis on compliance comes as it seeks to improve data accuracy and completeness for better tourism management in one of India's most popular tourist destinations. The warning from Panaji serves as a final notice to accommodation providers who have thus far neglected their reporting obligations under the state's tourism regulations.
