Sri Vijaya Puram, June 12: Tourism development in North and Middle Andaman received a fresh boost on Thursday as a delegation of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) met Tourism Director Vinayak Chamadia to discuss infrastructure upgrades, destination promotion and employment opportunities linked to the sector.
The meeting, held at the Directorate of Tourism, brought together representatives of the tourism industry and local governance institutions to deliberate on a range of issues affecting tourism growth in the northern districts of the archipelago. The delegation included AATO President M. Vinod, General Secretary Saikat Biswas and Ram Nagar Gram Panchayat Pradhan Mithun Das.
At the centre of the discussions was the need to improve tourism infrastructure and visitor amenities in North and Middle Andaman, a region increasingly being promoted as an alternative destination for nature-based, eco-tourism and adventure tourism experiences beyond the more frequented southern islands.
One of the major issues raised by the delegation was the development of tourism facilities at Ram Nagar Beach, a beach destination known for its natural setting and tourism potential. Members of the delegation sought enhanced visitor infrastructure, including improved sanitation and public facilities, to accommodate a growing number of tourists.
According to AATO representatives, the Tourism Director assured the delegation that Ram Nagar Beach would be included in upcoming celebrations associated with the Island Tourism Festival, potentially increasing the destination’s visibility among domestic and international visitors. The department also indicated its willingness to support the improvement of washroom and visitor amenities in coordination with the local Gram Panchayat.
The meeting also highlighted efforts to diversify tourism offerings in North Andaman. During the discussions, the Tourism Director informed the delegation that four new scuba diving sites have recently been identified and marked in the Diglipur region. The move is expected to strengthen adventure tourism in the northern islands and create new opportunities for tourism operators, guides and local entrepreneurs.
The identification of additional diving sites comes amid growing interest in marine-based tourism activities across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Industry stakeholders believe that expanding diving infrastructure beyond traditional tourism hubs could help distribute visitor traffic more evenly and generate economic benefits for local communities in remote areas.
Another significant issue raised during the meeting was the need for closer coordination between local self-government institutions and the tourism department. Pradhan Mithun Das suggested that officials from the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism participate in Gram Sabha meetings to improve awareness about tourism initiatives and facilitate direct engagement with local residents.
The proposal received a positive response from the Tourism Director, who assured the delegation that departmental officials would attend such meetings whenever feasible. Stakeholders believe this could help bridge communication gaps and ensure that local communities are actively involved in tourism planning and development.
Employment generation for island youth through tourism-related enterprises also featured prominently in the discussions. AATO representatives stressed the importance of creating livelihood opportunities linked to adventure tourism, particularly in areas such as scuba diving, water sports, guiding services and hospitality.
In response, the Tourism Director expressed support for AATO’s proposed familiarisation tour and awareness programmes in North and Middle Andaman. Tourism officials are expected to participate in these initiatives, which aim to encourage local youth to establish scuba diving centres and other tourism ventures in the region.
Industry representatives view such programmes as important steps towards building local capacity and ensuring that economic benefits from tourism remain within island communities.
Speaking after the meeting, AATO General Secretary Saikat Biswas welcomed the assurances extended by the Tourism Directorate and expressed appreciation for the department’s willingness to engage with stakeholders on issues affecting tourism growth.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to promoting sustainable tourism, improving visitor infrastructure and creating employment opportunities through community-based tourism initiatives. With new diving sites, proposed facility upgrades and greater local participation in tourism planning, stakeholders hope North and Middle Andaman will emerge as a stronger tourism destination in the years ahead.
