Port Blair, Dec. 13: The Andaman Association of Tour Operators has called upon the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai requesting him to consider measures, relief and relaxations for the tourism industry of Andaman Islands.
In a Union Territory like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, tourism is not only the single largest industry of the islands but is also unequivocally the backbone of the islands’ economy. The closure of tourism in March 2020 started a cascading effect across verticals of the industry leaving every single person and household associated with it unemployed and financially dented. Every sector of the industry ranging from hoteliers, travel agents, restaurateur, adventure water sports owners, boat owners, cruise owners, home stay owners, boat crew, guides, drivers, cab owners etc. have been rendered penniless today.
In a letter submitted to the MOS Home, the President AATO, Shri M Vinod mentioned that there is an urgent need to aid the stakeholders of the tourism industry. Without support from the central government and local administration, the survival of livelihoods is impossible. The AATO put forth a slew of measures that are desperately needed for the industry:
a) The ground reality of Andaman tourism is grim. Though the tourism industry has opened on 27th September but due to certain curbs and regulations implemented due to Covid 19 Guidelines on ground, tourism remains vastly restricted resulting in potential visitors getting discouraged from traveling to Andamans. The voice of tourism stakeholders is not reaching the administration as no meeting has been called by the administration since COVID-19 to hear our grievances. Therefore, a tourism stakeholders meeting be called by the administration to address the problems of the industry at the earliest.
b) The lifeline of Andaman tourism are the private ferries operating between Port Blair-Swaraj Dweep-Shaheed Dweep. Currently, no private ferry has been granted permission to operate by the administration. Government ferry has its limitations when it comes to catering to tourists and has thus far not been able to streamline connectivity. The entire tourism industry depends on private ferry resumption as tourists prefer commuting by private ferries due to shorter journey time, seamless ticketing and better facilities. Therefore, the first available fit-for-sailing private ferry be resumed for services between Port Blair-Swaraj Dweep-Shaheed Dweep at the earliest to bring back Andaman tourism to life.
c) There were more than 20 flights operating in a single day before Covid-19 however now we have only 6-7 flights operating in a day resulting in constricted tourist movement. There is a demand from the travelers, airlines as well as local stakeholders to increase flights but they have not been increased to pre-covid levels yet. This despite Indian domestic aviation returning to 80% of its pre-covid levels. Therefore, it is requested that daily flights to Andamans be restored to pre-covid levels at the earliest and increased further thereon.
d) A relief package to the tune of Rs. 200 crores be announced for the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands specifically to aid the ailing tourism establishments.
e) All statutory, regulatory and monetary relaxations for permits, licenses, surveys, insurance etc. for all sectors of tourism be extended to create an encouraging atmosphere for resumption.
f) Property tax may be exempted for the financial year 2020-2021 for all tourism establishments. Any pending dues may be given additional time for payment.
g) Rents charged by municipal bodies on tourism establishments be waived off completely for financial year 2020-2021. Any pending dues may be given additional time for payment.
h) Port charges for tourist boats (both small and large) be waived off completely for the financial year 2020-2021. Any pending dues may be given additional time for payment.
i) A complete GST holiday be announced until 2023 for tourism establishments to help make the holiday pricing of the destination attractive.
j) A tourism revival committee be constituted under the local administration comprising stakeholders from every segment of the industry and a roadmap be prepared to uplift the industry to unprecedented heights in the next 10 years.
k) More islands that have potential be opened up and infrastructure be developed in such islands to widen the offering of the destination.
l) Restrictions imposed on vehicles, boats etc. by reducing the carrying capacity to 50% be withdrawn immediately as all incoming tourists are tested before/upon arrival.
m) Moratorium on loans given to tourism establishments by all banks be extended for upto 2 years. Additionally, interest be waived off completely for the period of March 2020 to June 2021.