Port Blair, June 04: The president of Andaman Association of Tour Operators, Mr. M Vinod has written a letter to the Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Chief Secretary of A & N Administration and requested that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for incoming tourists be prepared on priority in consultation with stakeholders of each segment of the industry.
“Alongside, a video be also shot to show how Andaman tourism industry is ready to welcome tourists back with complete sanitization and safety protocols in place. The SOP after finalization may be published officially to build confidence in travelers who might start visiting Andamans eventually,” Mr. Vinod added in his letter.
In his letter he said that the Covid-19 pandemic is proving to be a long battle and with each passing day its effects on tourism industry is aggravating causing unprecedented, unbearable and unimaginable financial burden and loss across all sections of the Andaman tourism industry.
“As is being seen across India, several states have officially formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for visiting tourists, the purpose of which is to showcase that the destination is ready to welcome back once again rather than expecting large numbers in reality. Andaman and Nicobar tourism has not prepared any SOP yet nor has sent a positive message to the country regarding its preparation and readiness to welcome tourists once again,” Mr. Vinod added.
He also requested that the beaches and museums of Andamans be declared open for public and tourists.
