Port Blair, Nov 21: The Association of Tour Operators (ATO) today came down heavily against tourism department alleging harassment to Tourists and Tourism Stake Holders.
Mr. M Vinod the president of ATO today wrote a letter to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in which he has highlighted a few genuine problems faced by the visiting Tourists due to attitude of a few officials of Administration.
“A lot of efforts have been taken from your side for development of Tourism by way of participation in different fairs through the Country. But after such
great publicity when the Tourists arrive at Andamans, we send them with lots of negative image about our Emerald Islands due to the prevailing self made regulations by few officers of Administration,” Vinod said in his letter.
Regarding Ross Island & North Bay Islands M. Vinod added that these are the two Islands for which tourist boats ply from Andaman Water Sports Complex complying with all safety measures, but in the last Ten Days on 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21 November 2014, the operation of these boats were cancelled citing the reason of Bad weather Conditions out of this on 20 & 21st November boats were allowed to ply Ross Island. In the same period regular boats carrying tourists were seeing plying for Neil island, Havelock Island & Other small Islands. There were also Tourists who were seen traveling to Mount Harriet via Bambooflat in Govt. boats without wearing life jackets.
“If boats to Ross Island & North Bay are stopped seeing the safety of Tourists which is a very good move and the same time we would also like to know from the same concerned officers about the safety of other Tourists who travel to various other parts of the Islands,” he added.
Regarding visit to Neil & Havelock Island he added that these two Islands are promoted in a very high manner in National & International level by concerned departments, but here also the case of non satisfaction
of the guest is same.
“Hundreds of guest can be seen daily returning from DSS counter without tickets due to shortage of boats. This problem can also be sorted out if bigger boats like MV Dering having much passenger capacity can be put in for regular service during the ongoing peak tourist season. As of now this boat MV Dering is put into service only sometimes,” Vinod pointed out.
The ATO president said that the Association feels that in the present conditions in which the visiting tourist are harassed in the name of Weather Condition, Weekly Off, Shortage of boats etc. it is quite sure that no Tourist is leaving the Islands with sweet memories instead they are taking a very bad image & negative impression about our Islands which is not good for the Tourism Industry.
The ATO requested the Lt. Governor to intervene in this issue and ask the concerned authorities to stop harassment of Tourists in the name of weather conditions. He also requested the Lt. Governor to convene a meeting of all Tourism Stake Holders along with all concerned Officials of Administration to find a permanent solution for all the long pending
issues of the Industry.
