Hit hard by the circular issued by poll authorities restricting their timing, the tourism industry has struck back and pressed the officials concerned to do a re-think on the same.

The circular stipulates that all hotels, restaurants and eateries should be shut by 11pm from January 25 and from 10pm from February 6 to March 6.

Members of the travel and tourism association of Goa (TTAG), beach shack owners, and proprietors of small restaurants and eateries met chief electoral officer S Kumaraswamy, chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava, both district collectors and excise commissioner P S Reddy on Friday as per a TOI report.

"We told the authorities concerned not to close eateries. Closing of restaurants is unwarranted. We cannot deprive tourists of food," said travel and tourism association of Goa president Gaurish Dhond.

The delegation assured government authorities that no liquor will be served by any establishment after 11pm. "They were sympathetic to our petition and said they would discuss the matter before taking a review of their decision," Dhond added.

Shack owners welfare society general secretary John Lobo said beach tourism is set to take a severe beating if the circular is implemented.