Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 07 August 2024
In a proactive move to ensure a smooth and successful tourist season, Superintendent of Police for South Andaman District, Ms. Niharika Bhatt, IPS, held a crucial meeting with local tour operators. The meeting, which took place on August 5, 2024, was also attended by ASP South Andaman Mr. Vikas Swami, SHO Aberdeen Mr. Vishal Ram, and members of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators. The primary focus of the discussion was to address ongoing issues and improve the overall tourist experience for the upcoming season.
During the meeting, SP South Andaman emphasised several critical concerns raised by tourists, including frequent complaints about pending refunds, package cancellations, last-minute itinerary changes, and legal repercussions for non-compliant tour operators. To address these issues, it was stressed that all tour operators must be registered with the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T). This registration is crucial for ensuring accountability and adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, tour operators were urged to establish 24/7 helplines to promptly address tourist grievances and enhance responsiveness. It was also recommended that all tour packages include 2-3 contact numbers to prevent tourists from feeling stranded due to lack of communication.
Tour operators, in turn, raised significant issues of their own. They highlighted the need for clear rate cards to be displayed in all vehicles, the necessity for soft skill training for taxi drivers, and challenges related to varying standards of cancellation policies across different hotels.
The meeting concluded with an unanimous agreement among all parties to work in close coordination to address these issues and collectively enhance the quality of services provided to tourists. The collaborative efforts and action plans discussed during the meeting are expected to pave the way for a smoother and more efficient tourist season. All stakeholders are encouraged to maintain open communication and report any further issues that may arise. Additionally, tourists are advised to check the credentials of tour operators before booking tour packages.