President Droupadi Murmu has approved new tourism rules for Lakshadweep. The new regulations have introduced mandatory registration for businesses, stricter tourist safety measures, and penalties for harming the Union Territory’s fragile marine environment.
The Lakshadweep Tourism Trade (Registration, Safety and Facilitation) Regulation, 2026, covers hotels, guesthouses, travel agents, tour guides, water sports operators, scuba diving centres, online booking platforms and tourism vessels.
The regulations have been published in the official Gazette. They prohibit tourism businesses from operating without registration unless they are exempted. Existing operators have six months from the start of the rules to apply for registration or the required category approval.
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What are the new registration and consumer protection rules?
Designated authorities must process applications within 45 days for low-risk businesses and 60 days for high-risk activities. If officials miss these deadlines, applications will be treated as approved.
However, high-risk operators must still provide the required safety certificates and insurance before starting work. Appeals will be handled by an officer of at least Secretary rank in the Tourism Department.
Tourism businesses must display prices, cancellation policies, registration numbers, and emergency contact details at their premises and on online listings. Digital platforms cannot list or accept bookings for unregistered businesses. Travel agents and tour guides are also barred from asking tourists for undisclosed tips or commissions.
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What penalties can tourism operators face for safety violations and environmental damage?
Adventure tourism operators, diving centres and vessel operators may face fines of up to Rs. 5 lakh for safety violations. Littering, damaging coral reefs, harming marine life or destroying tourist facilities may attract fines of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
Offenders may also be ordered to repair the damage or pay compensation. Unregistered businesses that cause environmental damage may face fines of up to Rs. 5 lakh. Authorities can seize equipment, cancel registrations and ban operators for up to three years.