Port Blair, May 9: The Member of Parliament, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has requested the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands to provide a single-window system for all kinds of permissions related to new tourism projects. According to the Member of Parliament this will not only ease the process of doing business but also attract more investors to Andaman and enable local entrepreneurs to set up new ventures to attract tourists and promote tourism in these Islands.

In a letter addressed to the Lt. Governor, the MP said that tourism is the only major Industry in our Islands, which is capable of providing thousands of employment opportunities for the local youths. Due to the tourism industry, many families in Andaman & Nicobar Island are able to earn their daily bread and live a comfortable life.

He mentioned that although due to constant efforts of Andaman & Nicobar Administration, tourist footfall has increased in recent years but the growth of the tourism industry in our Islands is comparatively slower than other tourist hotspots in our country and neighbouring countries.

He pointed out that one of the major reasons for this is the complicated process of obtaining permission from various departments for starting even a small project for Tourism. This not only discourages entrepreneurs but also deters bigger investors in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Member of Parliament further mentioned that Andaman & Nicobar Islands lack any major attractions other than beaches and historical monuments. Tourists who visit Andaman & Nicobar Island deserve to have all kinds of entertainment and amusement along with beaches and monuments. For transforming Andaman into a tourism hotspot we need major projects like mega water parks, eco camping resorts, caravan packages, underwater aquariums, underwater scooter rides etc.

“However, the lack of variety in the tourism industry is causing many tourists to opt for Southeast Asian countries instead of coming to Andaman. As a result, our tourism industry is losing out on a significant amount of revenue,” he added.

He added that a simple step like providing a single-window system for all kinds of permissions related to new Tourism projects can attract lakhs of more tourists, which can generate a massive amount of revenue for Andaman & Nicobar Islands.