Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 24 October 2025
The three-day Astro-tourism Guide Training Workshop at Shaheed Dweep concluded successfully, bringing together 55 participants from across the Islands’ tourism sector for hands-on learning, experience design, and sustainability-focused training.
Organized by the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism, in collaboration with Open Space Foundation and C-STERC, the workshop aimed to equip youth with skills to promote and develop astro-tourism in the Andamans.
The program began with foundational sessions on astronomy and telescope use, while Day 2 and 3 focused on the business and sustainability aspects of the emerging astro-tourism sector. Participants explored the industry landscape, identified key stakeholders, and discussed Andaman-specific opportunities, including the development of dark sky zones and experiential tourism circuits.
Facilitator Ms. Anupama Pradeepan led interactive sessions on experience design, where participants created visitor itineraries, developed games and activities, and mapped target audience personas to craft meaningful, story-based astro-tourism experiences.
Sustainability and responsible tourism were key highlights of the workshop. Sessions covered dark sky preservation, light pollution awareness, and waste management at tourist sites, aligning practices with global standards. An additional session by ‘Kachrewale’, a Shaheed Dweep-based environmental NGO, offered practical insights on community waste management and eco-friendly tourism initiatives.
The workshop concluded with an oath-taking ceremony, where participants pledged to promote sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally responsible astro-tourism in the Islands. A final review and reflection session helped consolidate learnings and chart plans for future collaborations.
Supported by the A&N Administration, the workshop marks a significant step in positioning the Andamans as a Dark Sky and Sustainable Astro-tourism Destination, strengthening local capacities, enhancing livelihood opportunities, and laying the foundation for a community-led, conservation-driven astro-tourism movement in the Islands.
