Port Blair, Feb 6: Considering the problems being faced by all stakeholders of Andaman Tourism and also to promote Tourism in a professional manner for the overall development of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Member of Parliament, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, ANI to order re-opening of all Tourism Spots in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, the Member of Parliament mentioned that due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the District Magistrate of South Andaman had ordered that all tourist spots in South Andaman District shall remain closed for Tourism activities from 10, January 2022.

He pointed out that later on February 02, 2022, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration reopened Cellular Jail and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island for tourism activities but other tourist spots are still closed for which Tourists are not coming to Andaman and most of them are cancelling their bookings.

The MP mentioned that  it is largely felt that the impact of Omicron variant of COVID-19 and third wave is very mild in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, largely because the local Administration has handled the situation very well but now people are demanding to reopen all Tourists spots in A & N Islands.

He said that the tourism sector generates the maximum number of employment in Andaman & Nicobar Islands after the government and hence the closing of tourist spots is hitting the local economy hard. Closure of Tourism activities in Andaman has caused huge financial loss to all tourism stakeholders and posed serious financial threat to daily bread earners, like boat operators, tourist cab operators, hotel staffs etc.

The MP added that there are thousands of youths who have taken loans from banks to purchase boats, vehicles and other equipment related to tourism but now due to closure of tourism activities they are facing difficulties in paying their EMIs.