Sri Vijaya Puram: Havelock-based travel agency White Shell Travels has pushed back against allegations of fraud in a honeymoon package booking, saying the charges are “exaggerated” and not reflective of their service record. The case, filed by Kerala-based army personnel Akilesh M, has drawn attention after both the South Andaman police and the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Palakkad began examining the complaint.
According to the complainant, his December 2024 honeymoon was disrupted when a promised stay at Ocean Tree Resort and Spa was downgraded to NK Eco Resort at the last minute, allegedly causing a financial loss of ₹12,000. He has accused the agency of mismanagement and breach of trust. The episode follows an earlier report on the dispute by The Wave Andaman here.
White Shell Travels, however, maintains that the charges are misleading. Proprietor Angshuman Roy said the total package was priced at ₹49,000, including accommodation, ferry transfers, and transport, and argued that it was implausible the agency would jeopardize its reputation for a disputed ₹12,000 room difference. He admitted the accommodation was shifted but attributed it to “technical issues and seasonal constraints,” explaining that while the couple had booked in an off-season window, they travelled in peak season when availability was restricted. Representative Pinky Roy added that they offered a special dinner and other compensations to address the inconvenience.
The agency claims the dispute escalated without direct dialogue. “The complainant did not contact us or respond to our calls. We came to know of the issue only when a police complaint was filed,” said Angshuman Roy. The proprietors also denied allegations of threats, insisting that White Shell has a 15-year record of serving visitors without coercion or misrepresentation.
White Shell Travels said they are cooperating with the inquiry and awaiting its outcome. “Tourism in the Andamans is built on trust, and we are committed to maintaining that,” said Roy. The proprietors also urged that wider structural gaps in the tourism sector be addressed. They pointed out that agencies are often held responsible for issues beyond their control, such as peak-season shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks. According to them, better regulation and facilities would ensure smoother visitor experiences and prevent conflicts of this nature.
