At the Tourism Conclave held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, under the theme ‘One State One Global Destination’, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D K Joshi (Retd.), presented an ambitious roadmap to transform the Union Territory into a global tourism and adventure destination. The event, chaired by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, brought together policymakers and tourism stakeholders to discuss India’s evolving tourism landscape.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted a remarkable post-pandemic resurgence in the islands’ tourism sector. Since 2022, domestic tourist arrivals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have risen by nearly 200%, while international arrivals have increased by 157%, marking one of the sharpest recoveries among India’s tourist destinations.
To sustain this momentum, the administration is focusing on developing Andaman as a world-class scuba diving and adventure tourism hub. Joshi announced that the Andaman and Nicobar Administration is preparing to set up three Guinness World Records in diving, aimed at positioning the islands as a premier scuba destination in the Indian Ocean Region and across the Indo-Pacific.
As part of the initiative, unique diving circuits are planned around the Button Islands, comprising the North, South, and Middle clusters, alongside Barren Island, which is home to South Asia’s only active volcano. These circuits will also extend to the crystal-clear waters and coral-rich sites around Swaraj Dweep, known for its pristine beaches and marine biodiversity.
The Lieutenant Governor also elaborated on a strategic plan to promote heritage and cultural tourism through the creation of a Heritage Tourism Circuit. The proposed circuit will include the Cellular Jail and Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Dweep as key national memorials, along with Viper Island, Chatham Island, and Manipur Parvat. The administration plans to benchmark these sites to global standards with the assistance of internationally recognised consultancies and funding under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model supported by the Ministry of Tourism.
Joshi stressed that heritage tourism in the islands holds immense emotional and historical significance, as the sites represent India’s freedom struggle and maritime legacy. The effort, he said, aims to enhance both educational and experiential value for visitors while ensuring conservation of the fragile island ecosystem.
The Lieutenant Governor further outlined a set of flagship infrastructure projects designed to usher in a new era of sustainable, world-class tourism in the archipelago. These include the development of five-star eco-resorts, operationalisation of new seaplane services, expansion of cruise tourism, and acquisition of new passenger vessels.
Among the key upcoming projects are Greenfield airports at Great Nicobar and Sri Vijaya Puram, intended to improve connectivity and support high-value tourism. Modernisation of the helicopter fleet will provide better inter-island access, catering to both tourists and residents. These investments, Joshi said, would position the islands as a model for sustainable tourism development aligned with India’s broader ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.
The administration’s approach combines ecological responsibility with economic opportunity, ensuring that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands evolve into a global tourism hub while protecting their unique biodiversity and heritage. Industry observers at the conclave viewed the initiatives as a step toward diversifying India’s tourism portfolio, linking adventure, heritage, and eco-tourism into a cohesive model.
The renewed focus on developing the islands’ maritime assets, diving sites, and cultural landmarks signals a shift toward high-value, low-impact tourism, balancing growth with environmental stewardship. If implemented effectively, the Andaman model could redefine India’s coastal and island tourism in the years ahead.
