This union territory, celebrated for its pristine beaches and mangrove kayaking adventures, has seen a significant surge in domestic tourism compared to pre-COVID times. “Last year was exceptionally successful for tourism. We managed to recover from the effects of COVID-19, and on an island with a population of 400,000, we welcomed 720,000 visitors,” said Tourism Secretary Jyoti Kumari in an interview with PTI.
“This year is showing considerable growth as well. By September, we had already recorded 600,000 visitors, and our peak tourist season is between October and November,” she continued.
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When queried about ecological concerns linked to the growing tourist numbers, she remarked, “Being an island, we have a limited carrying capacity. Our advantage is the restricted access via flights, which naturally limits visitor numbers. Nonetheless, the impact on frequently visited islands remains minimal.”
The tourism secretary noted that the administration has recently opened North Sink Island and plans to continue rolling out additional islands in a gradual manner. “We are exploring various niches as we open new islands,” she added.
“We are moving forward cautiously to assess the visitor response and observe their adaptation. We are also expanding our areas; the forest department has opened Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Islands, each with a capacity for 200 people. We are committed to maintaining this limit.” “This approach helps us preserve and promote the ecosystem. Recently, we’ve opened 21 islands and are closely monitoring the impact. Once these islands reach full utilization, we will contemplate further openings,” she explained.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands offer a perfect blend of palm-fringed beaches, extensive stretches of white sand, peaceful tranquility, and crystal-clear turquoise waters that define a tropical paradise.
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In discussing initiatives to diversify the tourism experience in the Andaman Islands, Kumari emphasized a focus on birdwatching and astro-tourism.
“We attract a large number of bird watchers, as the Andaman Islands host 32 species of endemic birds. Many come to increase their daily bird count. We are also exploring astro-tourism due to the Andaman’s exceptional night skies. Visitors can view both northern and southern constellations.
“There are vantage points that offer 360-degree views of the sky, allowing observation in all directions. The area is free from industrial pollution, which greatly aids our astro-tourism endeavors. Additionally, fishing remains a popular activity for both domestic and international tourists, and we are promoting this alongside our well-known water sports,” she explained. The Union Territory has recently introduced an astro-tourism policy. “Through this policy, we are registering and training guides, as well as implementing open sky certifications for them. We are also training local youth and workforce for this initiative and identifying locations that can be shielded from light pollution as potential astro-tourism sites,” Kumari said.
“Tourists can choose to register with us, although it is optional. Once they register on our portal, they will receive detailed information about upcoming astronomical events, which will help them plan their visits effectively,” she added.
