Sheekha Bureau
Port Blair, July 19: The Andaman Association of Tour Operator (AATO) has cried foul over the move of Andaman’s Tourism Department to revise the tariff and introduction of differential tariff for Sound & Light show at National Memorial Cellular Jail.
Terming such move as commercialization of National Memorial Cellular Jail, which is place of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, the apex body of Andaman’s Tourism Industry, AATO has demanded immediate withdrawal of this differential tariff.
Sound & Light Show is one of the most popular events of Andaman for tourists and a must go for all, as it depicts the struggle of freedom fighters in Cellular Jail with only Light and Sound.
According to AATO, the hike in the rate of Sound & Light Show was not discussed in any of the forums of Tourism related policy makers i.e. Tourism Advisory Committee, Tourism related Associations, Joint Action Committee etc. and most importantly, stake holders of Andaman’s tourism industry came to know about this hike through the Tourists Corner note.
As per new rates increase in charges are in different slabs i.e. Rs. 150/-, Rs. 100/- and Rs. 50/- for 1st show, 2nd show and third show respectively.
“Tourists have expressed dissatisfaction over this issue as each show, same in content, has different rate. The Department of Tourism is making our freedom struggle as a trade, from where maximum profit may be extracted, whereas the department should promote Cellular Jail as a Heritage not as a park or sports activities,” Mr. Vinod the President of AATO said.
The however, in an official release, the tourism department today clarified that the A&N Administration, with a view to distribute tourists, in different shows and managing traffic congestion around Cellular Jail, has revised the tariff and introduce differential tariff for Sound & Light show at Cellular Jail. This differential pricing is also aimed at bringing transparency in booking of the Light and Sound Show and curbing the possibility of black marketing of the tickets.
Meanwhile the AATO has written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and demanded immediate withdrawal of this new rates.
