Shack operators in Calangute have admitted that the subletting of beach shacks to non-Goans has accelerated the decline in their business and quality standards. According to them, locals have been subletting shacks to people from other states and are enjoying the high rents they receive. However, the business starts to dwindle when the tourist season comes to a close.
Concerns Raised by Shack Owners
John Lobo, general secretary of the Shack Owners Welfare Society (SOWS), stated, "Cruz Cardozo (president of SOWS) and I have been telling the government to stop giving licences to those who are subletting, because then the shacks will be available to those who genuinely want to run them." Close to 150 out of 200 shacks in the Calangute-Candolim area have already been shut down due to the absence of foreign tourists. Lobo added, "The remaining 50 shacks are in Baga, Calangute main beach and Candolim promenade, and they will do good business because domestic tourists increase in May."
Government Crackdown on Subleasing
In 2025, the tourism department cracked down on subleasing of shacks and moved to cancel licences of beach shacks that were being sublet to non-Goans. Manuel Cardozo, president of the Traditional Shack Owners Association, questioned why the shacks are still operational when there is no business. "There are 18 shacks allotted in Tivaiwaddo. They all shut down 15 days ago. Whatever business will be there till the end of the season, there's business only where the main beach entrances are," said Cardozo.
Impact of Global Events
Cardozo attributed the decline to global conflicts: "Because of the Iran and Ukraine wars, foreign tourists have stopped coming. Fuel prices have shot up and it's become expensive to fly. Foreign tourists are also largely winter visitors, so there's nothing unusual in shacks closing." Lobo added, "It's in areas like Tivaiwaddo, Gauravaddo and parts of Candolim where the shacks receive mostly foreign tourists that have closed. My shack is in Baga and I mostly get domestic tourists because there's road access."
