Latest news with #OTAs
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First Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Are homestays becoming trouble-spots for Goa? Minister blames ‘people from outside'
Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte announced tighter enforcement on illegal tourist accommodations and updated the state's Homestay Policy to support rural women read more Multiple second residences and residential structures in Goa are being utilised for tourist stays by people from outside the state without informing the Goan authorities, state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte said in the assembly on Monday. He also stated that the Goa government is regularly monitoring lodgings offered on online travel agency (OTA) platforms to ensure they are legally registered with authorities. His statement came when BJP MLA Michael Lobo raised the matter in the House, claiming that homestays functioning in residential communities are causing difficulty for locals by attracting disruptive tourists. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Responding to the Zero Hour mention, Khaunte stated, 'Regular watch is kept on accommodations listed on OTAs. They are actively monitored.' He said, 'The government has ensured all inventory of hotel rooms, guesthouses and other stays linked with OTA platforms are registered with the tourism department.' 'Many second homes and residential buildings are being misused for tourist stays without informing the authorities. The people who come to these second homes and operate as tourist accommodations often do so without proper registration,' he added. 'The Goa government will work towards finding a sustainable solution that protects the interests of both residents and the tourism sector,' he assured the assembly. Later, addressing the reporters, Khaunte stated that the Goa government has updated its Homestay Policy to address critical difficulties confronting local people working in the hospitality business in the coastal state's rural regions. A direct grant of Rs 2 lakh will now be provided to eligible applicants to establish homestays, replacing the previous reimbursement-based model that posed financial challenges for many rural households, he said. 'The original policy required beneficiaries to invest first and claim the amount later, which was not practical for women in rural households,' he told reporters on the margins of the state assembly's ongoing monsoon session. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Based on their feedback, we have made the necessary changes to ensure the policy is inclusive, accessible and truly empowering,' says Khaunte. The updated legislation would apply to homestays with one to six lettable rooms within the owner's property, particularly in rural regions, according to the ministry. 'While the registration is permitted across Goa, incentives will be limited to non-coastal, non-urban zones to ensure the policy's rural focus is preserved,' added the official. Khaunte stated that the project is profoundly founded in women's empowerment, since homestays would be administered mostly by household women. 'This is not just about adding inventory to our tourism ecosystem, it's about creating livelihood opportunities, preserving cultural heritage, and giving rural women a leadership role in community-based tourism,' he said. The tourist department will launch the application procedure for taking advantage of this program once the current assembly session ends on August 8, he added. 100 homestays will be supported under the scheme in the initial phase, the minister said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Skift
17-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
Former Heads of Google Travel and Tripadvisor Form AI Startup to Head Off Online Travel Agencies
The idea of hotels partnering with ex-Googlers and DirectBooking trying to undercut OTA-like Tripadvisor's relationships with LLMs is not without its ironies. Still, the concept of hotels working more closely with LLMs and bypassing OTAs is one that could gain traction. DirectBooker, a startup backed by former Tripadvisor CEO Steve Kaufer and ex-Google Travel head Richard Holden, wants to feed hotel listings directly into AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini — challenging the role of online travel agencies like "The default behavior is going to be for the OTAs to win again," said Sanjay Vakil, a co-founder and the CEO of DirectBooker. "And I would like to head off that outcome. But it's going to take more than three people to do that, so we're looking to grow a little bit." Vakil held various product management leadership roles at Google Travel and Tripadvisor. The other two co-founders of DirectBooker are Chief Product Officer Theresa Meyer and Chief
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Oregon Ducks football star Dillon Gabriel being drafted by Browns in third round questioned as conspiracy
Since being taken in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, former Oregon Ducks football star Dillon Gabriel has outplayed Shedeur Sanders during OTAs and rookie minicamp. Still, some are pushing conspiracy theories about the legitimacy of Gabriel being drafted despite Sanders being linked to the Browns more often leading up to the draft. Advertisement Former Division III rags-to-riches NFL story Cecil Shorts called into question the legitimacy of Gabriel's selection. Shorts believes Sanders is 'way better' than Gabriel. 'Let them battle it out, choose one and ride with them and see what they can do. And I'm not big on switching quarterbacks... I hate that. Let the rookie battle all 17 games; if he's healthy, battle all 17 games. Let him develop. Let him get better,' Shorts said on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show. 'To me, talent-wise like you mentioned, Shedeur is way better than Dillon. Dillon wasn't on anybody's list. Let's call a spade of spade. Nobody was thinking about Dillon Gabriel being drafted in the first three rounds. Nobody. Wasn't on anybody's list. Nobody was talking about him on TV at all. Come on, let's be real here.' Advertisement Sanders may have looked more impressive against Big 12 defenses last year in a Colorado Buffaloes offense tailored to him specifically, but Gabriel has proven himself in Berea. That's the only thing that matters now. Not Sanders' notoriety, or anyone's labeling of Gabriel as a 'professional backup.' Shorts may not be onto something here. Sanders can change that, but the results Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has seen this offseason matter more than anything else.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patriots rookie tackle is off to a good start
The spring isn't optimal for offensive linemen. During OTAs and minicamp, they're not allowed to block. No one's wearing pads. Contact in these practices is prohibited. It's tough to gauge whether an offensive lineman is truly capable of his job. Advertisement That doesn't mean Will Campbell didn't learn anything this offseason. The Patriots first-round pick finished up his first offseason workout program and says he heads into the summer with momentum. The Patriots hope the fourth overall pick will solve their problems at left tackle. Campbell believes he's off to a good start. 'I've gotten more comfortable as the days have gone with the playbook and scheme,' Campbell said. 'It's only going to keep getting better. I keep getting these reps and keep getting this stuff under my belt, it's going to help me move along.' The Patriots wasted no time throwing Campbell into the fire. The LSU product was immediately placed at the team's top left tackle spot to protect Drake Maye's blindside. The rookie spent most of the offseason working next to left guard Cole Strange, but the Patriots did rotate several other players in at that position. Advertisement The team believes they've made the proper steps to solving a long-standing issue. Last season, the Patriots allowed 52 sacks. That was the sixth most in team history and the most sacks allowed by a Patriots team since 1999. The team's sack totals have risen over the last three years – 41 (2022), 48 (2023), and 52. Considering protecting Maye is the priority, the Patriots knew they needed wholesale changes. The team signed veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and veteran center Garrett Bradbury before drafting Campbell with the fourth pick. Despite not being able to practice in pads, Campbell said he felt like this spring set a good foundation. Advertisement 'You have to come out here and treat it like it's a padded practice,' Campbell said. 'This is where the details matter the most when you can key in on those types of things. I'd say just coming out every day and trying to be intentional and find two or three things from the previous practice that I'm trying to grow on, on the next.' The Patriots have high hopes for Campbell. The team believes he'll make an immediate impact and solve one of their biggest problems. The rookie said he plans on sticking around New England for most of the break and feels confident heading into his first training camp. 'Whenever you get into a new place, it's a different thing than I'm used to, so really getting those reps, getting more experience day after day,' Campbell said. 'I can feel myself improving practice after practice. That's the thing I've got to come out and get better every day. I feel like I've done that.' More Patriots Content Advertisement Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike Yastrzemski's RBI single
Richardson will not participate in OTAs, minicamp Mike Florio and Michael Holley discuss how Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury – which will prevent him from participating in OTAs or mandatory minicamp – impacts Daniel Jones' chances of being the Colts starting QB. 4:55 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
