India Tourism, Sri Vijayapuram, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in collaboration with the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), successfully organised a comprehensive Emergency Response Training Programme at the Panchayat Hall in Govind Nagar, Swaraj Dweep. The initiative was designed to enhance the safety preparedness of frontline tourism personnel who play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of visitors in this high-activity island destination.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands attract thousands of adventure and marine tourism enthusiasts each year. However, the remote nature of the islands and limited access to advanced healthcare facilities make timely first response extremely important. Recognising this need, India Tourism and ATOAI jointly undertook this training to build a stronger, more resilient tourism ecosystem for the region.
A total of 50 participants attended the programme, representing a cross-section of critical on-ground teams, including police personnel, boat boys, scuba diving instructors, parasailing operators, hotel and resort staff, and other field-level tourism workers. Their active involvement reflected the increasing awareness and commitment to safety standards across the islands.
The training was conducted by Dr. Freston Marc Sirur, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. With extensive experience in trauma care and emergency response, Dr. Sirur delivered a highly engaging and practical session covering:
CPR and Basic Life Support (BLS)
Drowning response and water rescue techniques
Trauma care, fracture stabilisation, and bleeding control
Emergency communication and scene management
Hands-on demonstrations and guided practice sessions
Participants were able to practice life-saving interventions and gain real-time feedback from the trainer, enabling them to build confidence in handling emergencies commonly encountered in marine and adventure tourism operations.
The event was attended by Mr. Vel Murugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Port Blair, who addressed the gathering and emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening tourism safety across the islands.
Shri Saikat Biswas, Co-Chairman, Eastern Region, ATOAI, also addressed the audience, highlighting the urgent need for such training programmes in the Andaman Islands. He pointed out the challenges posed by long evacuation times and limited medical infrastructure, making immediate and informed first response essential. Shri Biswas also extended his appreciation to Dive India for their field support and thanked Nautika for assisting as the travel partner for the programme.
Participants expressed overwhelming appreciation for the training, noting that the skills taught were directly applicable to their daily responsibilities. Many requested further advanced-level workshops and regular refresher sessions to ensure continued readiness.
India Tourism and ATOAI reaffirm their commitment to building a safe, responsible, and professionally trained tourism workforce in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This initiative marks an important step forward in strengthening safety mechanisms and ensuring that visitors enjoy the islands with greater confidence and security.
