The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are set to join the global celebration of World Tourism Day 2025 with a diverse line-up of events highlighting culture, heritage, and sustainability. The Department of Tourism, in association with other local bodies, has announced programmes across the islands under the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s theme of “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.”
Tourists arriving on September 27 will be greeted with traditional welcomes at the Veer Savarkar International Airport, the National Memorial Cellular Jail, and jetties at Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. To connect visitors with the islands’ rich history, a heritage walk has been planned in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture. Starting at the Cellular Jail at 6 am, the walk will retrace important cultural landmarks and offer a glimpse into the past of the archipelago.
As part of the celebrations, entry to prominent museums, including the Chatham Saw Mill, Samudrika Marine Museum, Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Museum, and the Cellular Jail, will be free for visitors on the day. These sites are among the most visited in the islands and provide insights into natural history, marine biodiversity, and the struggles of freedom fighters.
A thematic seminar will be held at the Megapode Nest conference hall in Haddo, bringing together tourism experts, local stakeholders, and officials. The seminar will discuss sustainable practices in tourism management and showcase new initiatives by the Department of Tourism. Issues such as balancing economic growth with ecological protection and building community participation are expected to feature prominently.
The tourism department is also collaborating with the education department to organize a chess and cleanliness drive at Wandoor. The activity aims to encourage youth participation in tourism-related events while emphasizing environmental responsibility in tourist hotspots.
Adding a sporting dimension, a two-day volleyball tournament was organized at the Netaji Stadium’s multipurpose hall, attracting eight men’s teams and four women’s teams. The finals witnessed Seva Bharat emerge victorious over Prem Nagar in a five-set contest in the men’s category, while Island Valkyries defeated Spark Girls in the women’s category. The winners received cash prizes of ₹10,000 each, while runner-up teams were awarded ₹8,000.
The tournament was attended by sports enthusiasts and supported by officials of the education department. The event reflected the islands’ pool of sporting talent and highlighted the connection between tourism and community activities. It also aligned with the broader message of World Tourism Day, which this year emphasizes tourism as an economic lifeline for island communities.
Officials stressed the importance of sustainable transformation in tourism, pointing out that employment, livelihood opportunities, and cultural preservation are closely tied to the sector. The focus remains on ensuring that tourism development in the islands does not compromise ecological balance, given the fragile marine ecosystems and the challenges posed by climate change.
World Tourism Day has long been celebrated as an opportunity to showcase the islands’ attractions, from heritage sites and museums to beaches and adventure activities. This year’s programming reflects both continuity and change, continuity in preserving cultural traditions, and change in integrating sustainability into every aspect of tourism.
The administration has made it clear that tourism growth must align with community involvement. From free entry to heritage sites to active sports events and educational seminars, the celebrations are designed to make both locals and tourists stakeholders in the tourism narrative.
As the islands prepare to welcome visitors on September 27, the range of activities highlights tourism not only as a source of revenue but also as a medium of cultural exchange and social awareness. For the people of Andaman and Nicobar, tourism remains a crucial pillar of the economy, and its sustainable transformation is increasingly seen as essential for future prosperity.
