Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 17 March 2023
Tourism Road Show organized by the Ministry of Tourism, GoI, in association with Andaman Association of Tour Operators got underway on 16th of March 2023. Mr. Keshav Chandra, IAS, Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, inaugurated the Road Show as the chief guest at a function held in the conference hall of the Hotel TSG Emerald.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Secretary welcomed the delegates from different parts of the country to A & N Islands to participate in the Road Show. He said, the roadshow will go a long way in promoting tourism in the country as well as in A & N Islands. He further stated that the USP of A & N Islands is its pristine nature which cannot be seen anywhere else. He remarked that majority of tourists coming to the Islands would like to see the natural beauty of the Islands. This congregation and the Road Show would be really beneficial in promotion of Tourism in this archipelago, he said.
Chief Secretary stated that tourism is going to be the basic mainstay of economy of A & N Islands. “We are virtually on the baseline and there is huge space to be covered”, the Chief Secretary said adding that tourism has the highest potential of generating employment and can boost the economy. He mentioned that the Administration is looking forward towards hopping flights and once it materialises, it will not only help in the tourism sector but other sectors as well.
Chief Secretary further informed that the Administration is working towards Yacht Tourism and has come up with a policy for Yacht Marina. “Very soon we will have a Yacht Marina in Andamans, which will help us in attracting high value tourists to the Islands”, he said. He also added that efforts are on to promote cruise tourism.
Chief Secretary also interacted with the local tourism stakeholders.
Ms. Veditha Reddy, Deputy Commissioner, SA, Secretary Tourism, Ms. Ranjana Deswal, the Director Tourism, Mr. Anand Vardhan Mishra, the Assistant Director, India Tourism, Port Blair, Mr. S. Ramakrishnan, Members from the ACCI, hoteliers, delegates from mainland and other tourism stakeholders were also present during the inaugural function.
In his address, the Chapter Co- Chairman, IATO, Mr. Mohd.Jadwet complimented AATO for initiating the Tourism Road Show and inviting delegates from different parts of the Country to explore the Islands. He further stated that tourism remains one of the biggest potential Industries in these Islands and this road show will help in showcasing the tourism potentials of the Islands.
In his welcome address, the President, AATO, Mr. M. Vinod welcomed all the delegates to A & N Islands and stated that the main objective of the Road Show is to bring together the agents and influencers to promote Andaman as a potential tourist destination in India. While thanking the A & N Administration, India Tourism and all the Tourism stakeholders for supporting the event, Mr. Vinod said this is the first Road Show being organised in Andaman to promote ‘Brand Andaman’.
Later, an interaction session of delegates with Island’s tourism stakeholders was also held.