TMI
Bureau
Port
Blair, Sept 25: Tourism gives Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a chance to show
itself off and raise its profile in the world. The Andaman & Nicobar archipelago
has received 4,02,393 tourists, including 11,818 foreigners in 2018, while it
received 4,87,229 tourists, including 15,310 foreigners in 2017. Because of its
natural beauty, beaches, flora and fauna and historically-significant landmarks
in around 38 inhabited islands out of the 572 islets.
The
theme of this year for World Tourism Day is "Tourism and Jobs - A Better
Future for All", to be observed on September 27 as World Tourism Day
across the world. The Day's purpose is to foster awareness among the
international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural,
political and economic value.
Of
course, the tourism sector provides opportunities in income generation and make
up a significant proportion of both private, local, and national incomes. It
will also provide jobs in the shape of hotels, bars, transport, activities,
shops, and restaurants all need staffing. Tourism can provide much-needed
employment for people.
But,
oftentimes, most of the tourism industry is owned by big companies. They make
the major profits, leaving local businesses with relatively little benefit.
Sometimes, tourism becomes so focal that other forms of income-generation are
neglected and an economic dependence on tourism forms. This is fine in good
times, but it can leave the country vulnerable to economic ruin in the long run
and can contribute to political upheaval or natural disasters.
The
A&N Islands, known for its rich history and culture and just need to show
off in a skillful way, which is lacking since long back, unfortunately.
Especially, the growing number of buildings in the A&N Islands most of them
are unplanned and violated. Despite of having natural resources available in
the islands such as cane, bamboo and timber, the RCC structures are been promoted
in a disastrous way.
Most
of the tourists are all the way touring here to enjoy the beaches, but one of
the main attractions in A&N Islands i.e. beaches are found closed at many
places and stop the tourists to venture into sea beaches. Due to crocodile
attacks inside and outside protection nets in the recent past at various
beaches, afterwards, the authority has banned the entry into sea. No concrete
arrangement is made yet to allow people to enter to sea, which leads
disappointment to the tourists these days.
"In
every beach a board is displaying crocodile warning, is here no place to enjoy
the beach? And no proper directions or rate chart is seen to know the
importance/ attractions of place". A tourist in a common conversation
revealed.