Port Blair, Sept 30:
On the occasion of World Tourism Day, Tourism sector in the Islands received a
major boost with Andaman & Nicobar Administration announcing re-opening of
Tourism Activities in the Islands. While the Tourism activities have been permitted
in South Andaman District (except Little Andaman), other districts will be
considered in subsequent phases.
Tourism sector is the
fulcrum of the economy of the A&N Islands, on which livelihood of thousands
of people depend. However, the tourism activities had been suspended in the
Islands, in the wake of outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. With the
announcement of 'Unlock' phase by Government of India, various sectors of the
economy are being gradually opened up. Accordingly, A&N Administration has
decided to permit tourism activities, while prescribing due precautions.
The tourism activities
which have been permitted in the first phase include opening of beaches,
museums, light & sound show at National Memorial Cellular Jail and Netaji
Subhash Chandra Bose Island and water sport activities of boat rides and
snorkelling. Other activities like scuba diving, sea walk, parasailing etc.
will be considered in the subsequent phases.
The Department of
Tourism has prescribed detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for these
activities, which need to be followed by all stake holders. Apart from these SOPs prescribed by Tourism
Department, other orders and advisories issued by Govt. of India, other departments
of A&N Islands and any other competent authority, as applicable will need
to be followed.
In order to kick-start
the activities and celebrate World Tourism Day - 2020, cleaning and
sanitization drives have been planned on 27th September, 2020 at National
Memorial Cellular Jail, Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, and Anthropological
Museum in association with Industry Associations.
It
is hoped that with the opening of Tourism sector in the Islands, economic
growth will pick up, providing livelihood support to the Islanders.