Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct. 13: As part of its ongoing Lecture Series on Sustainable Tourism, the Directorate of Tourism organized a public lecture on the topic ‘The Island Way of Tourism’ by Ms. Diksha Dikshit, noted Marine Biologist and Naturalist, today in the Conference Hall of the Directorate of Tourism.
Ms. Diksha Dikshit shared valuable insights on the importance of sustainable tourism practices suited to the fragile island ecosystem and rich marine biodiversity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. She emphasized the safety protocols that must be followed by all stakeholders and highlighted the shared responsibility of the community in preserving the natural and cultural values of the Islands. She also underscored the need for responsible tourism marketing to ensure visitor satisfaction and encourage repeat visits.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director (Tourism) highlighted the need for all tourism stakeholders to strictly observe the prescribed protocols and to provide the best possible experience to tourists. He emphasized that staff members interacting directly with tourists should possess adequate soft skills, and operators should invest in the capacity building and upskilling of their employees. The Director also encouraged stakeholders to submit their requirements for any specific skilling or training needs to the Department, so that the feasibility of conducting such capacity-building programmes could be explored in future.
The lecture aimed to enhance awareness and understanding of sustainable tourism principles and the ‘Island way’ of harmonizing tourism development with environmental conservation and community participation.
The event was attended by tourism industry partners, tour operators; adventure water sports operators, snorkel guides, scuba diving instructors, students, and nature enthusiasts.
This initiative forms part of the Department’s broader efforts to promote responsible and community-based tourism and to position the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a model destination for sustainable and nature-oriented tourism.