Port Blair, Nov 11: The Association of Tour Operators (ATO) today cried foul over lack of boat service for tourists in Andaman. In a letter addressed to the LG, CS and other senior officers, the President of ATO, Mr. M Vinod today said that due to lack of tourist boats for Ross, North Bay and Jolly Buoy Tourists are being harassed.
“Operation of boats for Ross land, North bay & Jolly buoy are stopped since Monday citing bad weather conditions and to our utter surprise at the same time Govt. & Private boats are regularly plying for Neil, Havelock & other Tourist Destination without any problem, we also feel that if the weather conditions of the Islands are very bad it will definitely effect all parts of the Islands instead of only Water Sports Complex & Wandoor.
We would also like to inform you that this is the second time in last ten days, the boats has been cancelled at last minute. Tourist are made to travel all the way to Wandoor to take a boat for Jolly Buoy are forced to return back after waiting there for hours as no concern authority is available there to update the actual status to the guest,” Vinod added.
He added that tourists who have reached this Island on Sunday are left with no option except to sit at their respective hotels then sightseeing as major tourist destinations are closed since last two days due to their weekly off or citing the weather condition and again these destinations will be closed tomorrow as weekly off day.
“The way tourists are suffering daily at Andamans we feel guests are going with very negative image which is not good for the tourism Industry in the coming days,” he added.
Mr. Vinod demanded immediate intervention of Lt. Governor in this issue.
I think the size of vessel plying to Neil / Havelock and between Ross or Wandoor may be far different, which ATO needs to understand. Moreover, it is generally seen that these tour operators squeeze-in many itinerary for guests in short time for making easy money, so that they can entertain next batch of guests. It is time for Admn to ponder as to whether are we ready for so many tourists in a day? A time will come, when the common man wont get daily needs from veg / grocery shops as hoteliers would take everything in bulk for sufficing tourists.
I agree with mr. Kumar statement…