Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 6: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has urged the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to extend the validity of existing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) issued for the purchase of new commercial tourist vehicles from the present period to one year, citing the difficult financial situation facing the tourism industry in the Islands.
In a representation to the Secretary (Transport), AATO President M. Vinod said high airfares, limited flight connectivity and the prevailing international situation had adversely affected tourist arrivals and tourism-related businesses in the Islands.
According to Vinod, several tourism stakeholders are currently facing financial difficulties and are finding it challenging to meet existing EMIs and other financial commitments. In such circumstances, purchasing additional commercial tourist vehicles has become an added financial burden for operators, he said.
AATO has therefore requested that the validity of NOCs already issued for the purchase of new commercial tourist vehicles be extended by one year. The proposed extension, the association said, would allow tourism stakeholders to defer vehicle purchases until tourism activity improves, without having to undergo the process of obtaining a fresh NOC.
Vinod said the requested extension would provide some relief to tourism operators during the present period of subdued business activity.
The association also highlighted the wider employment implications of the tourism sector, stating that many unemployed youth depend directly or indirectly on tourism-related activities for their livelihoods.
AATO has appealed to the Administration to consider the request sympathetically and take a favourable decision in the larger interest of tourism stakeholders and people dependent on the sector across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
