Deepak Kumar Singh & Vikramaditya
Port Blair, June 12: The Association of Tour Operators (AATO) is set to host a comprehensive tourism road show from June 13 to 17,2024 attracting numerous tour operators from the mainland. In a press conference held at Hotel Star Paradise today, key details about the road show were shared with the media by Mr. M Vinod, the President of AATO.
He said that last year, AATO conducted a small-scale trial of the tourism road show, inviting 25-30 tour operators from Delhi. Encouraged by its success, this year’s event will be on a larger scale, with 50 tour operators from across India, including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab, participating. These operators are listed with the Ministry of Tourism, which is coordinating the event along with a nodal officer from Maharashtra.
The roadshow will be inaugurated on June 13 by the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Administration at Hotel Mansa Regency. The four-day event will include various activities, workshops, and tours, with a detailed minute-to-minute program provided to the participants.
The objective of the road show is not only to promote the brand ‘Andaman’ as a prime tourist destination. The presence of reputed tour operators is expected to significantly enhance Andaman’s visibility and appeal in their respective regions.
“AATO has partnered with the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India, and the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, receiving substantial support from local tourism stakeholders, including hoteliers and transport providers. Their cooperation has been crucial in organizing the event, which will begin with the inauguration ceremony at 6 PM at Mansa Regency,” Mr. Vinod added.
Mr. M Vinod emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure the success of the event. He highlighted that the road show aims to address challenges and create awareness about the authenticity of tour operators, urging tourists to verify the credentials of operators before booking.
During the press conference, Mr. Rama Krishna, Assistant Director of India Tourism, Andaman, Mr. K.Hamza, General Secretary of the AATO, and Mr. P.S.Vijayan, Organizing Secretary of AATO were also present.
The roadshow will include programs in various locations, such as Port Blair on June 13, Swaraj Dweep on June 14, Shaheed Dweep on June 15, and conclude with a grand ceremony at Jalsa on June 16. Participants will be felicitated, and local stakeholders will be acknowledged for their contributions.
There are lots of tour operators who are not listed in the Ministry of Tourism Website but contribute a lot to Andaman and Nicobar Tourism by pursuing tourists to visit the islands. They should also be invited.