Beach Village in Goa Bans Kissing in Public

Image: PHOTO: A honeymooning couple in wedded bliss. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)
Image: PHOTO: A honeymooning couple in wedded bliss. (photo courtesy of Thinkstock)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 8:00 AM ET, Sat March 28, 2015

Tourists in the Indian state of Goa visiting the beach village of Salvador do Mundo will have to literally get a room if they want to display their affection.

Describing the sight as "obscene" and "irritating," the village parliament recently passed a resolution prohibiting PDA, according to News.com.au.

"We have adopted this resolution following complaints from villagers about couples kissing in public," said deputy village chief Reena Fernandes. "This was the only way to put an end to it."

"We have serene beaches which attract tourists in a big way," said local Savio Rebeiro. "Several times we saw couples acting indecently which irked us."

But the party-pooping resolution doesn't stop there. It also bans drinking in public, smoking and playing loud music. And although there are plenty of ways to enjoy the area and its beautiful beaches that don't include kissing, drinking or loud music, it would appear that the fishing village is content to drive tourists away, even going so far as to post warnings around town.

However, this isn't the first time the region has made headlines with controversial policies. Last year, Goa legislator Michael Lobo attempted to have bikinis and men's "shabby undergarments" banned on beaches.

"There should be a proper dress code on par with international standards for men on beaches," said Lobo. "They should wear proper swimwear and not the shabby undergarments, which look pathetic."

"They can wear swimming trunks if they want to but there is a need to control such stupid tourists," added Lobo.

Unsurprisingly, heavy-handed approaches like these have hurt Goa's image among tourists and those within the industry.


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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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