Port Blair, Sept. 27: Together with the rest of the globe, World Tourism Day was celebrated in a befitting manner in these Islands too today. The theme of this year's celebration was 'Tourism & Green Investment'. As part of the celebration, the Tourism Department, A & N Administration organized WTD Beach Volleyball Knockout Tournament-2023 at Corbyn’s Cove beach from Sept. 22 to 24 with the support of India Tourism, GoI, line Departments and Tourism Stakeholders of the Islands besides other activities like Open Elocution Competition among Colleges & Schools and Workshop on the theme ‘Tourism & Green Investment’ at JNRM on Sept. 25, Trekking Expedition from Hope Town jetty to Mount Manipur on Sept.23. The Directorate of Tourism also conducted various cleanliness activities in different locations with the support of team of PBMC and Tourism stakeholders.
As part of today's celebration, tourists were traditionally welcomed at VSI Airport, Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep etc. All the Museums viz. Chatham Saw Mill, Anthropological Museum, Samudrika Museum, Fisheries Museum, Zoological Survey of India and Cellular Jail were kept open entry free for all the visitors. To mark the Day, the Directorate of Tourism organized various cultural programme featuring inaugural dance by Mudra Dance Academy, Odissi dance by Ms. Koyalika, a teacher from Khalsa Public School, folk based cultural programme by Art & Culture Department and fusion dance by JNRM students etc. with the support of line Departments and Tourism stakeholders at Dr. BR Ambedkar Auditorium here this evening. The Secretary (IP&T), Shri Binay Bhushan, IAS was the chief guest on the occasion while the Special Secretary (IP&T), Ms Nandini Maharaj was the guest of honour. The programme was also attended by the Director, Tourism, Dr. Jatinder Sohal, President AATO, Shri M Vinod, President ANTOA, Shri Simson, Assistant Director, India Tourism, Shri Ramakrishna, tourism stakeholders, students and general public.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary highlighted on the significance of the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day celebration which focuses on ‘Tourism & Green Investment’. He said, the USP of A&N Islands are its greenery, clean beaches and azure blue water, hence, the motto of promoting Isles’ tourism should focus on its USP, keeping in mind its preservation and sustainability. He also elaborated on importance of ‘Green Investment’ in tourism and urged the tourism stakeholders to invest in areas which will help promote Island tourism and simultaneously preserve its pristine beauty. The Secretary also informed about the initiatives taken by Tourism Department in areas like infrastructure development, policy formulation and promotion of tourism in Isles. He also spoke on the steps taken by the Department towards promotion of heritage tourism in NSCB Dweep, Viper and Chatham and eco-friendly tourism in Long Island, Avis Island, Ross & Smith and Shaheed Dweep besides formulation of draft Policies for Caravan, Bird Watching & Beach Shack by the Tourism Department. The Secretary also desired that the Department of Tourism should tie up with BBA Tourism students of JNRM and utilize their services for tourism development in Isles.
Speaking on the occasion, the Special Secretary, highlighted the need to preserve and protect the Islands' ecosystem while expanding tourism activities. She remarked that the beauty of A&N Islands is incomparable and as we open up tourism activities to welcome visitors and tourists to the Island, we must also keep in mind it's fragile ecology as tourists visiting the Islands come here to experience nature in its pristine form. The Special Secretary also spoke on eco-tourism and its importance in preserving the Island's ecosystem and stressed on the need to promote responsible tourism.
President, AATO while speaking highlighted about World Tourism Day and how tourism stakeholders have come together to celebrate the day befitting. He called upon all tourism stakeholders to give utmost importance to eco- tourism and promote it earnestly. Vicky Mishra, a third year MBBS student of ANIIMS who secured the 1st position in elocution competition organized by Tourism Department also shared his thoughts on sustainable & responsible tourism, urging young minds to invest in a green tourism for a sustainable future. Mementoes were also presented to tourism stakeholders and line Departments for their support in the successful conduct of the events.
The winners of various events were felicitated with cash prize along with trophies & certificates by the chief guest and guest of honour on the occasion.