A series of high-quality virtual reality documentaries aimed at promoting heritage-driven and technology-enabled tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was launched on Monday by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration through the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism. The initiative seeks to offer immersive visual experiences of the Islands’ natural landscapes, cultural heritage and indigenous lifestyles to tourists and the general public.
The VR documentaries present aerial, live and 360-degree perspectives of key locations and cultural elements across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Among the featured themes are the Nicobarese tribal lifestyle, Kamorta and Nancowry Harbour, the traditional Hodi Race Festival and expansive views of the Andaman archipelago. The content has been designed to provide viewers with an immersive understanding of the Islands even before physical travel.
The virtual launch of the initiative was conducted at the Secretariat in the presence of senior officers of the administration. Officials indicated that the use of immersive technology is intended to strengthen tourism outreach while also supporting cultural preservation and responsible tourism practices.
The documentaries place particular emphasis on the Nicobar group of islands, highlighting their cultural and ethnographic significance. Visual narratives focus on traditional village life, indigenous architectural styles, maritime livelihoods and community-based social practices of the Nicobarese tribes. The depiction of these elements aims to document and present aspects of island life that are often less accessible to the wider public.
Special attention has also been given to the Hodi Race Festival, a traditional sporting event associated with the Nicobarese community. The festival has been presented as a reflection of unity, teamwork and inherited seafaring skills, offering viewers insight into cultural practices that form an important part of the region’s identity.
In addition to the Nicobar-focused content, a separate 360-degree immersive VR documentary showcases the Andaman Islands’ beaches, forests and marine ecosystems. This segment provides a virtual exploration of the Islands’ eco-tourism potential, highlighting scenic and ecological features that are central to the region’s tourism appeal.
To enhance accessibility, the VR documentaries have been produced in both Hindi and English. For public viewing, the content is being showcased through a mobile VR theatre housed in a specially designed moving bus stationed along the Marina stretch, in front of the Government Girls Senior Secondary School. This arrangement allows tourists and residents to experience the VR content in an interactive and structured setting.
Officials stated that the initiative is expected to enhance tourist engagement by enabling informed travel decisions and deeper appreciation of the Islands’ cultural and natural assets. By using modern technology for outreach, the administration aims to expand the reach of tourism promotion beyond conventional formats.
The VR documentary initiative has also been positioned as a tool for long-term cultural preservation and global promotion of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By digitally documenting heritage and landscapes, the administration intends to create lasting visual records while promoting sustainable tourism practices aligned with environmental sensitivity.
