Sri Vijaya Puram, June 20: The 3rd edition of the Andaman Tourism Roadshow kicked off in style at Hotel Lemon Tree, Lamba Line, with over 150 members of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) and 30 invited delegates coming together to promote the islands as a versatile travel destination.
The inaugural session was graced by Jyoti Kumari, IAS, Secretary (Tourism), Andaman & Nicobar Administration, who lauded AATO’s efforts in building sustainable and responsible tourism partnerships. “The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are like layers of an onion; the more you peel, the more diverse the experiences you uncover. From endemic wildlife and astro-tourism to complex historical narratives, the islands need more than 4-5 days to truly be explored,” she said, stressing the geographic and cultural depth of the region.
Speaking on the occasion, M. Vinod, President of AATO, noted that the islands have moved beyond being just a historical site. “We are proud that AATO today stands among the top contributors to employment and revenue in the islands. Post-COVID, tourist numbers have jumped from 5 lakh to 7 lakh. Our goal now is to showcase Andamans as a leading destination for adventure sports, eco-tourism, and unique biodiversity.”
Dr. K. Chandrasekhar, President of ANCCI, and Kaulesh Kumar, Secretary General of the Association of Buddhist Tour Operators, were among the distinguished guests present. Kaulesh Kumar drew parallels between the Andamans and international hotspots. “This place is no less than Sri Lanka or Phuket. With focused promotion and stronger collaboration, the Andamans can emerge as South Asia’s hidden gem.”
Adding a global perspective, Mohammad Jadwet, IATO Chapter Chairman and Director of Makruzz, highlighted the islands’ potential for international tourism. “We’re excited to host a delegate from South Korea on a familiarisation tour. It’s time we course-correct and encourage more foreign tourists. There is also scope for curated thematic tours, like exploring the Burmese cultural influence in Mayabunder and Port Blair. Plus, the high participation of women entrepreneurs in tourism here is encouraging and unique.”
The event was also attended by Vinayak Chamadiya, Director (Tourism), and Velmurugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism. Delegates engaged in B2B and B2C meetings, aimed at fostering direct ties between local tour operators and national travel businesses.
The evening concluded with a cultural performance and networking dinner. K. Hamza, General Secretary, AATO, delivered the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants, partners, and guests for their enthusiastic involvement.
As the five-day roadshow progresses till June 24, stakeholders hope it will catalyse stronger domestic and international linkages, diversify the tourist base, and unlock the untapped layers of the Andaman travel experience.
