Sri Vijaya Puram, June 24:
Seeking greater national visibility for the Islands’ tourism potential, the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) has urged the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to scale up the Department of Tourism’s participation in key travel trade fairs and ease entry barriers for local stakeholders.
In a formal request submitted to the Department of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T), AATO has called for regular representation at major events like South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), Travel & Tourism Fair(TTF), and India International Travel Mart (IITM) through a well-branded pavilion showcasing the Islands’ offerings. The association also pressed for the inclusion of local operators within the official stall to ensure cohesive promotion.
Crucially, AATO has proposed a reduction in the stakeholder participation fee from the existing ₹30,000 to ₹20,000 or less, citing affordability concerns. According to the association, many smaller tour operators are currently unable to bear the cost of showcasing their services, limiting the diversity of representation at such events.
In the letter addressed to the Secretary (IP&T), AATO president M. Vinod stated that better inclusion of grassroots players and continued government-led promotion could significantly boost the Islands’ tourism footprint. “We believe that with increased and more inclusive representation, the visibility of the Islands will rise, leading to greater tourist footfall in the upcoming seasons,” the association noted.
The push comes at a time when regional competition is intensifying, with destinations across the country ramping up their presence at high-profile B2B and B2C travel fairs. Tour operators in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands argue that without consistent visibility at these national platforms, the Islands risk losing valuable ground in an already competitive travel market.
AATO has maintained that wider participation from local businesses, many of whom operate seasonally or on limited margins, can only be ensured through more accessible participation models. Reducing fees and offering space within the Department’s pavilion, the association argued, would democratize the promotional effort and reflect the true breadth of the Islands’ tourism ecosystem.
The industry is hopeful that the appeal will be taken up ahead of the next tourism calendar cycle. The association has expressed confidence that such steps, if accepted, will lead to a more unified and effective representation of the Islands on India’s tourism map.
