Panaji: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Wednesday said the state government will implement uniform rates, standardised kiosks, and stricter enforcement to streamline watersports operations across the coastal belt while safeguarding the interests of traditional Goan operators.
Khaunte chaired a meeting in Panaji with MLAs Michael Lobo (Calangute), Kedar Naik (Saligao), Sankalp Amonkar (Mormugao), and Delilah Lobo (Siolim), along with Tourism Director Kedar Naik, Captain of Ports Octavio Antony Rodrigues, police officials, senior government officers, and representatives of watersports associations.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Khaunte said watersports activities have been a traditional source of livelihood for Goans, and the government’s focus is on transparency, regulation, and safety.
Watersports form a major part of Goa’s tourism sector, where traditional Goans have been engaged in this business for generations. With time, we must ensure that regulations and transparency are maintained to provide the best possible experience for tourists: Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte
The minister said the state has notified the rates proposed by watersports associations in the official gazette. Uniform rates for watersports across Goa—from North to South—have been finalised and will be implemented by all associations to ensure consistency, he added. The move aims to prevent overcharging and bring parity across beaches.
Khaunte said the government will clamp down on the illegal sale of watersports packages by unregistered travel agencies. Currently, several travel agencies, both online and offline, are selling watersports packages without authorisation. The Tourism Department, in coordination with local panchayats and the watersports associations, will enforce strict measures to curb this activity without inconveniencing tourists, he said.
He noted that some travel agencies have been luring tourists by selling tickets for watersports activities in neighbouring states, which has been classified as a nuisance under The Goa Tourist Places (Protection and Maintenance) (Amendment) Bill, 2025, tabled in the Assembly in July this year.
With the help of the Transport Department and Tourist Police, the state is moving towards proper enforcement to address this issue. The Department of Tourism will integrate and promote the official websites of the watersports operators on the Goa Tourism website to create awareness and ensure visitors have access to authentic information, Khaunte said.
To bring uniformity and credibility to authorised operators, the minister said kiosks offering watersports will soon sport a standard design across beaches. Whether one visits a beach in North or South Goa, the kiosks will have a standard look and feel, making them easily identifiable as official watersports kiosks, he said.
Khaunte added that watersports associations have agreed to issue ID cards to their staff to curb touting. This initiative is welcomed, provided proper data sharing is done with the Department of Tourism after police verification, he said.
The minister said the Captain of Ports has been instructed not to grant permissions for tourism activities during the monsoon ban period to protect marine biodiversity.
The meeting also discussed coordination between departments and stakeholders to ensure smoother operations, better safety protocols, and an improved experience for both visitors and operators.
