Port Blair, Feb 07: Considering the problems being faced by all stakeholders of Andaman Tourism and also to promote Tourism in a professional manner for the overall development of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Member of Parliament of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, ANI to order re-opening of all Tourism Spots in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament mentioned that due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the District Magistrate of South Andaman had ordered that all tourist spots in South Andaman District shall remain closed for Tourism activities from 10, January 2022.
He pointed out that later on February 02, 2022, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration reopened Cellular Jail and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island for tourism activities but other tourist spots are still closed for which Tourists are not coming to Andaman and most of them are cancelling their bookings.
The Member of Parliament added that it is largely felt that the impact of Omicron variant of COVID-19 and third wave is very mild in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, largely because the local Administration has handled the situation very well but now people are demanding to reopen all Tourists spots in A & N Islands.
Mr. Sharma added that the tourism sector generates the maximum number of employment in Andaman and Nicobar Islands after the government and hence the closing of tourist spots is hitting the local economy hard. Closer of Tourism activities in Andaman has caused huge financial loss to almost all tourism stakeholders and posed serious financial threat to daily bread earners, like boat operators, tourist cab operators, hotel staffs etc.
He mentioned that there are thousands of youths who have taken loans from banks to purchase boats, vehicles and other equipment related to tourism but now due to closure of tourism activities they are facing difficulties in paying their EMIs.
