Port Blair, Aug 07: In a proactive move to ensure a smooth and successful tourist season, the Superintendent of police – South Andaman District Mrs. Niharika Bhatt, IPS held a crucial meeting with local tour operators on 5th August, 2024. The meeting was attended by ASP South Andaman Mr. Vikas Swami, SHO Aberdeen Mr. Vishal Ram, Head and other members of the Tour operators of Andamans Association. The discussion centered on addressing ongoing issues and improving the overall tourist experience for the upcoming season.
During the meeting, SP South Andaman highlighted several critical concerns raised by tourists, including frequent complaints about pending refunds, package cancellations, last-minute itinerary changes, and legal repercussions for non-compliant tour operators. To address these issues, it was emphasized that there is a necessity for all tour operators to be registered with the Directorate of Information, Publicity & Tourism (IP&T). This registration is crucial for ensuring accountability and adherence to regulatory standards. Additionally, tour operators were urged to establish 24/7 helplines to promptly address tourist grievances and improve responsiveness. It was also requested that all the tour packages be given 2-3 contact numbers so that the tourists don’t feel stranded due to lack of communication.
Tour operators raised significant issues of their own, including the need for clear rate cards to be displayed in all vehicles, the necessity for soft skill training for taxi drivers, and challenges related to different standards of cancellation followed by various hotels.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous agreement among all parties to work in close coordination to address these issues and to collectively enhance the quality of services provided to tourists. The collaborative efforts and action plans discussed during the meeting are expected to pave the way for a smoother and more efficient tourist season. All stakeholders are encouraged to continue communicating openly and to report any further issues that may arise. Further, tourists are requested to check credential of tour operators before booking tour packages.
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