Port Blair, Dec 15: The President, Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO), Mr M. Vinod has highlighted various issues faced by the Tourists at various Ports of these Islands.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Port Administrator, Port Management Board the President, AATO, Mr. Vinod expressed his gratitude for making the public aware about the facilities available at various ports.
On this context Mr. Vinod highlighting the issues and facilities available at Ports for tourists and said that the tour operators are not allowed inside the port areas to meet the tourists for whatsoever reason, also the said department never held any meetings with the stake holders regarding facilities available at the port for tourists failing which tour operators are not able to inform the same to tourists.
Mr. Vinod further said that there is only 01 toilet each at Passenger hall for the use for more than 1000 tourists and staffs of private boats at a time which is not sufficient for the visiting tourists.
Also, he said, as per the complaints received from the tourists that often the toilet block runs out of water and is kept totally in unhygienic conditions. He further requested for increasing number of toilet blocks to provide better facilities to tourists.
He further informed that no proper toilet blocks, no trolley etc. are kept at water sports complex, Ports area of Neil & Havelock for which suitable passenger service fee are charged to tourists.
Demanding clarification on one of the press releases stating that all the services provided to the tourists are free of cost, he said that if the services are provided free of cost then why the Private Boat Operators are forced to charge Passenger Service Fee from the tourist to the tune of Rs. 50/- from Phoenix Bay, Neil, Havelock and Rs.20/- from Water Sports Complex Per head.
Mr. Vinod further said that if the tourists are supposed to pay Passenger service fee why the same is collected by Private Boat Operators before the passenger avails any service. For this the PMB should make arrangements for collection of the said fees if the tourists avails any services offered by the PMB for which feels inappropriate to force all the guest to pay the passenger service.
He further requested the Chief Port Administrator to provide basic facilities to the visiting tourists and should also install proper sign boards marking the facilities provided.
