Tourists stranded in the islands due to natural calamities should not be harassed: Bhopinder Singh
Port Blair, Jan. 5: The much awaited and the biggest festival of the islanders ‘Island Tourism Festival’ today began with the formal inauguration by the Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Bhopinder Singh at 6.00 pm.
Addressing a huge gathering, the Lt. Governor took the opportunity to wish a happy new year to the islanders. Tourism, he said is the only industry which can sustain in the islands. Last year we received around 2 Lakh tourists, which is an overwhelming response, LG said.
Referring to the recent Cyclone Thane that hit the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the Lt. Governor expressed his concern over the hundreds of tourists who were stranded in the islands.
“We should make sure that no tourists are harassed especially when they are stuck in such situation. I will make sure that we device some methodology to accommodate such stranded tourists, and if possible make their stay arrangements free”, Bhopinder Singh expressed.
The Lt. Governor further said that this year apart from the planned Food Festival and Film Festival the A&N Administration will have another festival in its calendar.
“Developments in Tourism sector are having a slow growth here. This is being done deliberately as we are very concerned about the environment and fragile ecology of the islands”.
“Once a tourist visits the islands, we make sure that he leaves as an ambassador of the islands”, the LG said.
The Lt. Governor further appreciated the effort of Shri Naresh Chander Lal for his film, ‘Runway on the Sea’ which was released on the occasion. The film is based on the country’s first sea plane, a pilot project started by the A&N Administration.
Apart from ‘Runway on the sea’, the LG also released three more films on the islands which includes, ‘Jewels of the Sea’ by Tom Alter, ‘Historic site of A&N Islands’ and ‘Secrets of the deep’ which showcases the marine life in the islands.
At the end of the formal function a promotional version of ‘Runway on the Sea’ was screened, which was followed by cultural programmes.
Earlier the Secretary Tourism, Shri Satish Mathur welcomed the gathering.