The Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ administration is reopening some parts of the archipelago for tourism after a break of six months. Stakeholders in the industry are looking forward to Durga Puja for reviving the sector on which a large number of people in the Union Territory depend for their living.
Lately, the Union Territory is witnessing fewer Covid-19 cases. So far, it has registered 3,868 infections, of which 173 are active, according to the health officials.
“We are hardly receiving any tourists since the reopening of the sector. But we hope to get some bookings during the upcoming Durga Puja festive season. However, there are only two daily flights from Kolkata to Port Blair. The frequency needs to be increased,” said Robert Johnson, the director of Mini India, a travel company.
A large number of people from West Bengal used to visit the Islands during the Durga Puja holidays before Covid struck.
In the first phase tourism reopening in the archipelago, the Union Territory administration has allowed reopening of beaches, museums and light and sound show at the Cellular Jail, besides permitting water sports, boat rides and snorkeling. Starting of other activities like scuba diving, sea walk and parasailing will be considered in subsequent phases.
The Department of Tourism has laid down a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for restarting these activities, and has asked all stakeholders to follow it.
