The Directorate of Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, conducted a three-day familiarisation (FAM) tour to Little Andaman Island from March 29 to 31 to position the island as an emerging tourism destination and expand its visibility across travel and digital platforms.
The initiative brought together registered travel agents, tourism stakeholders, media influencers, and officials to assess the island’s tourism potential and infrastructure. Participants included travel agencies such as Andaman Fiesta and The Best Andaman Deal, along with representatives from ANTOA and FORTO, local stakeholders from Hut Bay, and officials from the Tourism Department and Doordarshan.
Officials said the tour aimed to provide a first-hand experience of Little Andaman’s key attractions and create opportunities for collaboration in promoting the destination. Despite short notice, the programme recorded participation from multiple stakeholders across the tourism sector.
During the visit, participants explored prominent locations including Butler Bay Beach, White Surf Waterfall, and Netaji Nagar Beach, along with other eco-tourism sites. The island’s natural landscape, coastal stretches, and relatively untouched environment were highlighted as key assets for tourism development.
The itinerary combined site visits with interactions involving local travel operators, hoteliers, Panchayati Raj representatives, and self-help groups. These engagements focused on assessing ground-level infrastructure, identifying gaps, and understanding local experiences linked to tourism activity.
Stakeholders noted that the island holds potential for experience-based tourism, where visitors can engage with local culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Participants indicated that such approaches could contribute to building a distinct identity for Little Andaman within the broader tourism framework of the islands.
Feedback from participants also pointed to the need for continued infrastructure development to support higher tourist inflow. Issues related to accessibility, amenities, and service capacity were discussed as part of the overall evaluation of the destination.
The Directorate of Tourism acknowledged the support extended by local governing bodies, including the Zilla Parishad of Little Andaman, for facilitating the visit and coordinating activities during the tour.
As part of its follow-up initiatives, the Directorate announced plans to organise the first Grand Surfing Festival at Butler Bay Beach from April 9 to 12, 2026, in collaboration with the Surfing Federation of India. The event is expected to promote Little Andaman as a surfing destination and attract participants interested in water-based adventure activities.
Officials stated that the FAM tour forms part of a broader strategy to diversify tourism offerings in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by developing lesser-explored destinations and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
The exercise is intended to strengthen engagement between stakeholders and support long-term planning for tourism growth in Little Andaman, with a focus on balancing development and environmental preservation.
