The Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T) has begun accepting applications for stall allotments for the upcoming Island Tourism Festival (ITF) 2025, scheduled from December 27 to 31 at the ITF Ground. The announcement comes even as the department simultaneously seeks public feedback on newly drafted guidelines for All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) operations in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The dual developments mark a significant phase of preparation for the year-end cultural showcase and the administration’s ongoing efforts to regulate adventure tourism activities across the archipelago.
For ITF 2025, the Tourism Directorate has invited individuals, hoteliers, and general merchants to apply for designated spaces at the venue. A total of 20 creative arts and creative expo stalls are open for allotment at a nominal fee of ₹400 per stall for the five-day event. Food stall allotments for restaurant owners and hoteliers have been set at ₹22,500, while general merchants can apply for commercial stalls costing ₹17,500. All stalls will be assigned through a lottery system, in line with the conditions mentioned in the application form.
The application forms, including detailed terms and conditions, are available for download on the Directorate’s official website. Applicants must submit completed forms along with a demand draft and signed copy of the terms and conditions by November 25. As per the schedule released by the Tourism Directorate, stall allotments will be finalized on December 1, followed by issuance of allotment letters on December 12. Officials have clarified that late applications will not be accepted, urging interested participants to file documents within the stipulated timeline.
For clarifications, applicants may contact Assistant Managers Krishna Kumar (9434290132) and Chander Rao (9434282324), or the Manager (Tourism & Operational) at 9933255364.
In parallel with ITF preparations, the Tourism Department has released the draft version of the “Guidelines for Operations of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) in the A&N Islands.” The guidelines are aimed at ensuring safe, regulated, and environmentally responsible ATV operations, a sector that has seen rising interest among tourists and adventure operators. The draft proposes structured operational norms, safety standards, rider eligibility, route restrictions, and environmental safeguards.
The document has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder review. Members of the public, tourism operators, and government departments are invited to submit comments and suggestions by December 5. Inputs must be submitted in the prescribed format, also available on the Tourism Directorate website. Officials have emphasised that constructive suggestions will be incorporated into the final version of the guidelines, reflecting a participatory approach to tourism policy-making.
With both ITF stall allotments and the ATV guideline consultations underway, the Tourism Department is juggling festival logistics with regulatory updates critical to the evolving tourism framework of the Islands. As the ITF countdown begins, the administration expects significant participation from artists, entrepreneurs, and business owners, while anticipating meaningful public inputs to shape a safe and sustainable adventure tourism policy.
