Panaji: As Goa gears up for the upcoming Diwali holidays and peak winter tourism season, the tourism department and Goa police are strengthening coordination with hotels, restaurants, clubs, and other hospitality establishments to reinforce tourist safety. They have also urged tourism stakeholders to adopt responsible practices and comply with statutory requirements.Director general of police Alok Kumar held a stakeholder meeting with representatives from the hospitality and nightlife sectors, along with senior police officers and tourism department officials.“The safety and security of every individual in Goa, including our visitors, remains a priority for the police. As the state enters its peak tourism season, we are strengthening our preparedness and working closely with the Tourism Department and hospitality stakeholders to ensure that safety measures are consistently followed across establishments,” said Kumar.The meeting focused on strengthening safety and operational standards at tourism establishments, including CCTV installation and maintenance, clear entry and exit points, fire-safety compliance, responsible staff conduct and adherence to noise limits. Stakeholders were also urged to remain vigilant against illegal activities, report suspicious incidents promptly and cooperate with enforcement agencies.The meeting also highlighted the need to prevent online hotel-booking fraud, urging establishments to stay alert, help authorities address complaints and protect visitors from scams.The tourism department said that visitor safety and confidence remain integral to Goa’s tourism experience, particularly as the state prepares to welcome domestic and international travellers during the winter season. Hotels, restaurants, clubs and other tourism-related businesses were urged to abide by regulations, particularly sound restrictions at night.“Security cannot be the responsibility of law enforcement agencies alone. Hotels, restaurants, clubs and other tourism businesses have an equally important role to play by maintaining safety infrastructure, ensuring responsible conduct among their staff and promptly bringing any suspicious activity to the attention of the authorities,” said Kumar.The tourism department urged stakeholders to remain vigilant, cooperate with police and uphold safety standards to ensure a safe environment for tourists and residents alike.Goa police said responsible tourism requires stakeholder participation, urging hospitality establishments to regularly sensitise staff, maintain safety infrastructure and cooperate with authorities to address concerns promptly.
