Sri Vijaya Puram, June 9: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has intensified efforts to promote tourism during the monsoon season by conducting a two-day familiarisation (FAM) tour to Shaheed Dweep, while simultaneously highlighting several long-pending infrastructure and connectivity issues affecting the island’s tourism sector.
The tour, held on June 6 and 7, brought together AATO members, tourism stakeholders, local elected representatives and government officials to assess tourism potential during the off-season and discuss challenges faced by visitors and businesses operating on the island.
According to AATO, the initiative was aimed at encouraging year-round tourism and strengthening cooperation between tourism operators and local communities. The association said monsoon tourism presents an opportunity to diversify visitor experiences and sustain tourism-related livelihoods beyond the peak travel season.
A key feature of the programme was an interaction session held at the Panchayat Hall in Shaheed Dweep, where stakeholders engaged in discussions on tourism development, infrastructure requirements and policy-related concerns.
The meeting was attended by local PRI representatives, including Pinki Das, Champa Das and Dashrat Verma. Officials from various departments and tourism stakeholders also participated in the deliberations.
The interaction was hosted by Saikat Biswas, who emphasised the importance of closer coordination between tourism operators, government agencies and local communities to ensure sustainable growth of tourism in Shaheed Dweep.
During the discussion, stakeholders raised a number of issues that they said continue to affect tourism operations and visitor experiences on the island.
Among the major concerns was the demand for a direct ferry service to Shaheed Dweep, which tourism operators believe would improve accessibility and make travel more convenient for visitors. Participants also highlighted persistent mobile network issues, which they said create difficulties for both tourists and tourism businesses that increasingly depend on digital communication and online bookings.
The need for better visitor amenities at popular beaches also featured prominently in the discussions. Stakeholders called for adequate seating arrangements, improved public facilities and enhanced maintenance of tourism sites to improve overall visitor satisfaction.
Industry representatives additionally flagged concerns relating to IRS hull survey charges and vehicle permit regulations, stating that these issues have operational implications for tourism service providers and require attention from the relevant authorities.
Participants exchanged suggestions on balancing tourism growth with environmental sustainability, recognising Shaheed Dweep’s increasing popularity among domestic and international travellers.
Addressing the gathering, M. Vinod assured stakeholders that the issues raised during the interaction would be pursued with the concerned departments and authorities.
He reiterated the association’s commitment to working alongside local communities, government agencies and tourism stakeholders to address challenges and create a more conducive environment for tourism growth across the islands.
As part of the programme, AATO also felicitated local representatives and guests in recognition of their contributions towards tourism development in Shaheed Dweep.
The association expressed appreciation to local tourism stakeholders for their participation and acknowledged the support extended by hospitality partners during the visit. The FAM tour included visits to tourism properties and interactions with operators to assess facilities and identify opportunities for promoting the destination during the monsoon months.
AATO stated that such familiarisation tours help showcase the tourism potential of the islands while providing a platform for stakeholders to collectively discuss issues affecting the sector.
With tourism remaining one of the key pillars of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ economy, industry representatives said improving connectivity, infrastructure and visitor amenities will be essential to strengthening Shaheed Dweep’s position as a year-round destination and attracting greater tourist footfall during the monsoon season.
