Investors’ Meet on ‘Holistic Development of Eco-Tourism Sites’ held

Port Blair, July 21: An ‘Investors’ Meet on Holistic Development of Eco-Tourism Sites in Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ was organized by the Directorate of Tourism, A&N Administration in association with ANIIDCO, in the conference hall of Megapode Resort here this evening. The Secretary (IP&T), Shri Deepak Virmani, Director (IP&T) Dr (Smti.) Angel Bhati Chauhan, Director, Shipping Services/Chief Port Administrator, Capt. Ashutosh Pandey, OSD to LG, Shri P. K. Singh, ACCI members & its President, Shri Girish Arora, AATO members & President, Shri M. Vinod, representatives from Youth Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Hoteliers Association of A&N Islands, Nicobar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, A&N Tourism Stakeholders Association, Andaman Nicobar Tour Operator Association, FORTO, Barefoot India and Shri Jitin Sahni from VP Project, Noida were among those present on the occasion.

Addressing the investors, the Secretary (IP&T), through a power point presentation elaborated on the proposal of the Tourism Department with the focus on promoting eco-tourism & quality based tourism infrastructures for the benefit of tourists in A&N Islands. He also threw light on the projects to be developed in participation with Private Sector under PPP mode and the status of the tourism projects to be developed in four selected Islands viz. Long Island, Smith Island (Ross & Smith), Aves Island and Shaheed Dweep under NITI Aayog in phase -I besides promotion of 12 eco-tourism sites under phase –II and development of amenities/infrastructure for 15 additional eco-tourism sites with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) as Consultant. The Secretary also solicited the participation of the private sectors in promoting eco-tourism projects in Isles.  

In her address, the Director (IP&T) highlighted about other projects by ANIIDCO and Tourism Department viz. development of Baratang way side amenities such as creation of parking area, restaurants, rest rooms, ATM etc., under PPP mode and development of Adventure Park at Swaraj Dweep by the Tourism Department for which 3 hect. of land is available for development of amusement /Adventure Park.

The Director, Shipping Services/Chief Port Administrator threw light on the current status of global marine traffic Islands & potential of South Bay in great Nicobar Island and development of Port Meadow and ship repair facility. The officer from Port Management Boar highlighted about transhipment port development in Isles. The GM ANIIDCO informed about the various projects to be implemented by ANIIDCO. The Deputy Director, Civil Aviation spoke about the progress in Civil Aviation Sector under RCS-UDAAN scheme, under which 18 seater twin engine aircraft will become operational by Oct. 1, 2019 besides introduction of seaplane services and wet lease of sea plane by A&N Administration and progress of new integrated terminal which is expected to be completed by June 2020. The Management Consultant (PBSC) highlighted about the projects to be taken up under Port Blair Smart City.

The ACCI President, Shri Girish Arora lauded the Administration for coming up with tourism projects for holistic development of the Islands, besides giving thrust on infrastructure development and connectivity.

This was followed by an interactive session in which the investors, members of ACCI, hoteliers, tours operators and associations provided their views & suggestions for the development Isles tourism. Earlier, the Manager (Tourism), Dte. of IP&T, Shri CG Vijay welcomed the gathering.