Simplify online processes, says tourism body

Panaji: After compelling the government to heed its request to not involve Goa Electronics Ltd (GEL) in staffing counters of water sports operations, the newly formed All Goa Tourism Stakeholders Association is demanding convenient digital protocols. It wants the procedures for the online submission of routine data by guest houses and smaller accommodations to be simplified.
John Lobo, the president of the umbrella organisation, said that per se the establishments don’t have a problem in giving the data sought. But, he said, updating it online regularly can be troublesome for smaller operators who have minimal or no staff.
“Some operators are old and illiterate. How will they file data online every day? They are willing to submit the data manually,” Lobo said. The data sought relates to the tariff charged and the GST collected, besides information about guests and their Aadhaar card numbers.
“A problem arises if somebody gives a wrong Aadhaar card number, or if a small mistake is made while feeding the data,” Lobo said. “The form is rejected. It is a headache for those who are not well-versed in digital systems.” There has been a growing demand that online processes to feed data be made easy, and that businesses be able to do it without having to waste time.
Lobo said the tourism department also wants data about how much tariff is charged and GST collected. Instead, the tourism department can approach the commercial tax department, he said.