New Delhi, July 18: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has urged the Centre to address key issues affecting tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including high airfares, limited connectivity and infrastructure gaps, while seeking policy support to strengthen the sector’s long-term growth.
A delegation of AATO, led by President M. Vinod and General Secretary Saikat Biswas, met Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at his official residence in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum outlining measures aimed at expanding tourism and improving the Islands’ competitiveness as a travel destination.
The delegation highlighted the tourism potential of the Islands and requested the Ministry of Tourism to strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve connectivity and intensify destination promotion to support sustained growth in tourist arrivals.
Among the key demands placed before the Minister were aggressive domestic and international marketing campaigns for Brand Andaman, introduction of direct international flight connectivity to Port Blair and measures to reduce high airfares, which the delegation said continue to affect tourist arrivals.
The delegation also sought the opening of more islands for sustainable tourism and requested the Ministry to convene a comprehensive meeting with tourism stakeholders in the Islands. It further proposed the constitution of a Tourism Advisory Committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration and recognised tourism stakeholders to facilitate coordinated and long-term development of the sector.
During the meeting, M. Vinod said tourism remains the backbone of the Islands’ economy and supports the livelihoods of thousands of families. He stated that timely intervention by the Government of India would help generate employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
Saikat Biswas stressed the need for better air connectivity, affordable travel, focused destination marketing and closer coordination between the Government and the tourism industry to realise the tourism potential of the Islands.
The delegation also invited Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to visit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and interact directly with the tourism fraternity. According to AATO, the Union Minister responded positively and said he would visit the Islands in the near future to meet the Administration and tourism stakeholders, gain first-hand understanding of the sector’s challenges and explore measures for its sustainable growth.
AATO welcomed the Minister’s assurance and expressed hope that the proposed visit would help address long-pending issues through direct engagement with the Administration and tourism industry representatives. The association also reiterated its commitment to working with the Ministry of Tourism and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration to promote responsible, sustainable and inclusive tourism in the Islands.
