Goa Tourism Department Issues Strict Warning to Hotels Over Data Submission Compliance
The Tourism Department of Goa has issued a stern warning to hotels, resorts, homestays, and guesthouses across the state, threatening to impose substantial financial penalties for failure to submit mandatory data about tourists and bookings through the department's Tourism Information Management Enterprise (TIME) platform. This move comes as part of ongoing efforts to enforce compliance with regulatory requirements that have been in place for several years.
Mandatory Data Submission Requirements Reiterated
Tourism Director Kedar Naik has explicitly stated that submission of comprehensive data regarding tourists, room bookings, and tourist nationality remains compulsory under the Registration of Tourist Trade (Amendment) Rules, 2022. All establishments are required to utilize the TIME software to provide this information on a monthly basis, with submissions due before the 5th of each month.
"It was observed that several establishments failed to submit the requisite data despite repeated instructions, reminders and notices. 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," declared Naik in an official statement.
Penalty Structure for Non-Compliance
The department has established a clear penalty framework for establishments that neglect their data submission obligations:
- First default: ₹10,000 fine
- Subsequent defaults: ₹25,000 fine for each occurrence
Despite these financial consequences, department officials have revealed that the majority of hotels and guesthouses continue to neglect their monthly reporting responsibilities, creating significant gaps in the state's tourism data collection efforts.
Alarmingly Low Compliance Rates
Recent statistics paint a concerning picture of compliance levels across Goa's hospitality sector. Since April 2025, only 2,859 hotels have submitted data about tourist bookings through the TIME platform. This represents merely 30% of all registered hotels and guesthouses in the coastal state, indicating widespread non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Purpose and Importance of the TIME Platform
Department officials have emphasized that the TIME application was specifically developed to facilitate systematic collection and monitoring of tourism-related data from all registered accommodation providers across Goa. The platform serves as a crucial tool for gathering comprehensive information that enables the department to compile accurate statistics about tourist arrivals.
The tourism department depends heavily on this data to generate detailed reports including country-wise arrival statistics for international tourists and state-wise breakdowns for domestic visitors. This information forms the foundation for strategic planning, policy development, and marketing initiatives aimed at promoting Goa as a premier tourist destination.
The current enforcement push represents the department's latest attempt to address persistent compliance issues that have undermined data collection efforts for years. With tourism being a vital economic sector for Goa, accurate and timely data collection has become increasingly important for informed decision-making and sustainable tourism development.
