Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Dec 29, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Dec 29, 2003 |
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Industry & Economy
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Tourism Andaman beckons with music and adventure Our Bureau,
Bangalore , Dec. 28 THE Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a premier eco-tourism destination, is all set to unfold its mystic charm with a fortnight-long festival from January 4. The annual Island Tourism Festival (ITF) will unleash for visitors a bonanza of music and adventure to be staged at five different venues in Port Blair. Leading artistes from the classical art and film world, including Playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Bharatanatyam artiste Usha Venkiteswaran, are billed to give performances. Demonstration of martial arts such as Kalaripayattu by C.V.N. Kalari, sports competitions and fashion shows are some of the other attractionsplanned by the authorities. The event is organised by the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, with the support of the Directorate of Culture, ANIIDCO and other departments in the A&N Administration. The Andaman and Nicobar islands is a world-class eco-tourist destination. Its natural beauty and long coastal expanse are key attractions for the tourists. But with 92 per cent of the islands covered by forest and 86 per cent being notified forest, most of the tourist spots are inside the forest area; as such, constraints to develop tourism infrastructure in the islands remain. However, the administration has chosen the ecologically sustainable way of development. "We understand that it is the natural beauty and ecological wealth that attracts people to this island. Our policy is convergence of environment and forest with tourism and promotion of high-value low-volume tourist inflow," said an official. The much-awaited extension of the runway is in the final stages and is expected to be completed by late this year. Airlines are planning to bring in wide-bodied long-haul aircrafts, which will facilitate more high-class tourists. This will open up a new phase in the growth of tourism in the islands. The administration has started leasing out land at various parts of the islands to develop resorts. Many investors have shown keen interest in resorts and water sports centres in Andamans, the Directorate said. In order to strengthen the role of the administration as a facilitator than a stakeholder in the market, the Directorate of Tourism has started leasing out management of its units. Guest houses, restaurants, scuba diving centres and water sports complexes have already been leased out. The administration has also proposed to lease out to private managements some of the resorts at present run by the Directorate of Tourism. It has already identified Turtle Resort, Kalipur (near Diglipur in North Andamans), Swiftlet Nest, Mayabunder, and Hawsbill Nest, Rangat, Middle Andamans, for the purpose.
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