'First time in Goa in years': Some beach shacks shut operations early as tourist footfall dwindles

Beach shacks, which have long symbolized the vitality of Goa’s coastal tourism, are witnessing a sharp decline this season. A significant number of shacks in areas like Colva, Cavelossim, Calangute, Candolim, Morjim, Benaulim, and Majorda have closed their doors weeks before the official end of the season on May 31. This early closure highlights a concerning drop in tourist footfall and overall business performance.

According to the Times of India, many shack owners who paid for licenses valid until the end of May have voluntarily ceased operations due to low turnout. According to the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), the shutdown process began in the last week of March, especially for shacks on beaches that are less frequented by tourists. More closures followed after Easter.

‘No Tourists on the Beach at All’
Stakeholders in Goa’s beach tourism are viewing the 2024–25 season as one of the most challenging in recent memory. President of SOWS, Cruz Cardozo, plainly remarked, “If there is no business, then what is the point of keeping the shacks open?”

This season’s troubles were not only economic. The tourism environment was impacted by public backlash on social media, several altercations involving tourists and shack workers, and two reported murders along Goa’s beaches. These issues further discouraged tourist activity, particularly after mid-March.

“There are no tourists on the beach at all. You can say the season was for two-and-a-half months, from Jan to mid-March when the foreign charter tourists were there. Now they’ve stopped,” said Manuel Cardozo, president of the Goan Traditional Shacks Owners Association. “It is the first time that shacks have stopped for business so early.”

A Season That Started With Optimism


The 2024–25 beach shack season marked the second year in a three-year licensing period. Despite an optimistic start, the season quickly faltered. Officials from the tourism department discovered irregularities such as shack owners exceeding their allotted beach space and leasing out shacks to non-Goans, which added to the complications.

Not all shack operators have packed up. Those located in high-traffic areas such as Sauntavaddo in Calangute, parts of Baga, and entrances to major beaches are experiencing better domestic footfall and have requested permission to continue operations into June.

“Some shack operators at Benaulim, Colva, Calangute - Sauntavaddo and Baga have sought an extension beyond May 31, but we have to also see the weather,” Cruz added.

As the season winds down, the early closures are a reminder of the fragile nature of tourism in Goa, where even long-standing businesses are being forced to adapt to dwindling crowds and shifting dynamics.