The Directorate of Tourism has invited applications from registered travel agents and tour operators to participate in a Familiarization (FAM) Tour to Little Andaman Island, aimed at promoting the destination and expanding its tourism footprint.
The three-day, two-night tour is scheduled from March 29 to March 31, with ferry travel arranged between Sri Vijaya Puram and Hut Bay. The initiative is designed to position Little Andaman as an emerging tourist destination by providing industry stakeholders with on-ground exposure to its key attractions and eco-tourism potential.
According to the Directorate, the FAM Tour will include visits to prominent sites such as Butler Bay Beach, White Surf Waterfall, and other eco-tourism locations. The programme will also involve interactions with local stakeholders and site inspections to help participants understand the destination’s offerings and infrastructure.
The exercise aims to facilitate the development of curated tour packages and strengthen the visibility of Little Andaman across travel networks and digital platforms. Officials indicated that direct exposure through such tours can enable operators to design market-ready itineraries tailored to diverse traveller segments.
Participation in the first phase has been capped at 30 individuals, including officials from the Tourism Department. Preference will be given to travel agents registered with the Directorate under the Gold and Bronze categories, reflecting an effort to prioritise active stakeholders within the sector.
In case of limited or no response from registered agents, the Directorate may seek nominations from leading tourism associations, including AATO, ANTOA, and FORTO. Up to two representatives from each association may be nominated to ensure adequate participation within the stipulated timeline.
The Directorate clarified that it will arrange only the to-and-fro ferry tickets for selected participants. All other expenses, including accommodation, food, and local logistics during the tour, will have to be borne by the participants.
Interested travel agents and tour operators have been asked to submit their willingness to participate along with relevant details to the Directorate of Tourism on or before March 27, 2026.
The initiative reflects an effort to expand tourism activity in lesser-explored areas by engaging industry stakeholders directly and encouraging structured promotion of destinations with untapped potential.
