The Goa Tourism Department is evaluating a major takedown of residential apartments and villas operated as unauthorized short-term tourist rentals. Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte confirmed that state authorities are reviewing a recent Supreme Court order that directs officials across the country to seal residential premises used for commercial activities.

The move primarily targets what officials call Goa’s growing "parallel tourism" sector. A significant number of non-Goan buyers who purchased second homes in gated residential complexes have been renting them out to holidaymakers without registering with the tourism department.

While lucrative for property owners, this practice has raised serious safety and disturbance concerns among permanent residents living in these residential complexes. Furthermore, the unregulated rentals contribute to unpaid tax leaks and cause substantial revenue losses for C and D category registered hotels.

To enforce compliance, the state government has instructed Online Travel Aggregators (OTAs) to strictly feature properties verified and registered with the Goa Tourism Department. Unregistered villas, homestays and flats found violating residential zoning norms risk shut down and sealing under the judicial mandate.