Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 August 2025
In a bid to further promote and strengthen the Home Stay sector in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Tourism Department, A&N Administration, organized an orientation-cum-interaction programme for registered Home Stay owners at the conference hall of the Directorate of Disaster Management on Friday.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Tourism), Ms. Chanchal Yadav, IAS, graced the programme as the chief guest. The Secretary (IP&T), Ms. Jyoti Kumari, IAS, and the Director (IP&T), Mr. Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi, IAS, were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Chanchal Yadav expressed satisfaction over the enthusiastic participation of Home Stay owners, noting that modern-day tourists look beyond accommodation and seek cultural experiences, authentic local cuisine, and meaningful interaction with the community. “We need to focus on the unique experiences we are offering to tourists so that it prompts them to visit again and again,” she said. Highlighting that over 100 Home Stays are currently registered in the Islands, she suggested exploring exchange visits with mainland Home Stay operators to learn best practices.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Jyoti Kumari underlined that this was the first such initiative to bring all Home Stay owners together on a single platform to address concerns and gather suggestions. She informed that the Tourism Department is developing a new, attractive website with a dedicated page for showcasing Home Stays, urging owners to contribute high-quality photographs, videos, and contact details to boost visibility. She also announced plans for refresher sessions to train Home Stay operators in guest interaction, understanding tourist expectations, and enhancing local cuisine offerings. “Home Stays are not just places to stay; they also serve as windows into the Islands’ culture and community,” she remarked.
Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries, Mr. Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi said the programme was aimed at enhancing visitor experiences so that tourists carry back lasting memories of the Islands. He added that the interaction provided a valuable platform for Home Stay owners to voice their issues and contribute to actionable strategies for tourism growth.
The interactive session witnessed several Home Stay owners putting forth constructive suggestions to improve facilities and encourage longer tourist stays in Sri Vijaya Puram.
Later, a refresher session was conducted, during which Mr. Seemanta Kumar Deka, HoD, BBA (Tourism), JNRM; Mr. N. Vel Murugan, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Sri Vijaya Puram; and Mr. Uday Narayan, Faculty, DBRAIT, addressed the participants.
