Administration For Promoting Water Sports Activities & Yachting in Isles: LG
Port Blair, Feb.25: For the first time in the history of the Islands, a ‘Yacht Carnival’ is being organized here. The Lt. Governor, A&N Islands, Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd) inaugurated the Andaman Yacht Carnival-2018 at a function held in the Passenger Hall of the Port Management Board at Haddo this evening.
Addressing the gathering, the Lt Governor complimented the Andaman Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Port Management Board, Department of Tourism & M/s Andaman Holidays Private Ltd. for organizing this event in these Islands. The Lt Governor assured the visiting yacht owners that this will not be the last Yacht carnival, and such carnivals will be organized in the A&N Islands in future as well.
The Lt Governor expressed happiness that 13 foreign yachts, with 27 members onboard are participating in this event. He thanked the yacht owners for coming all the way from different countries and participating in this carnival here. The Lt Governor further informed the visitors that the A&N Administration, through different schemes, is promoting water sports activities including yachting in these Islands.
The Lt Governor said that the A&N Administration is in consultation with the Govt of India, for simplification of procedures for the issue of Visa on Arrival/Visa regime (for countries with which the GoI has such arrangements), along with simplification of issue of Restricted Area Permit (RAP), to foreign tourists. The Lt Governor also felicitated the yacht owners by presenting mementoes to them on the occasion.
In his brief address, the visiting yacht owner from Sydney Australia, Mr. Shepherd collectively thanked the Govt. of India and the A&N Administration for organizing this event in these Islands. “The hospitality and warmth extended to me here last year, prompted me to come again this year”, he said.
In his address, the Director Tourism, Shri Amit Anand said that the Administration is promoting sustainable tourism by maintaining the ecology of these Islands and providing livelihood to the local community. “We want more & more yachts to visit these Islands and the number of yachts participating in similar events will grow significantly in the coming years”, he concluded.
A colourful cultural programme depicting the rich cultural heritage of the country was present by the artistes of these Islands which were enjoyed by the visiting tourists.
Welcoming the visiting yacht owners, the CPA, Dr. RD Tripathi thanked them for coming all the way from different countries and hoped that they will go back with good memories of these emerald Islands. The function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the ex- President ACCI, Shri Mohd Jadwet.