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Andaman & Nicobar to open up 15 islands for hospitality industry

Preeti Kannan - Chennai

The tourism ministry has given the Andaman and Nicobar administration the green signal to open up 15 islands for the hospitality industry with a clear-cut emphasis on eco-friendly and hi-end hotels and beach resorts. By the year-end, tenders will be invited for about five islands, while by the year 2008, all the 15 would be open, after the mandatory procedures are completed.

Speaking to ETW, Dharam Pal, tourism commissioner cum secretary, Andaman & Nicobar administration said, "We have chosen 50 sites in about 15 islands in the North Andamans and the centre has also agreed to it. Earlier, there was a proposal to open up 10 islands, now it has been expanded to 15 after much consideration. We are focussing on environment-friendly resorts and hotels that will be in the hi-end spectrum, ensuring the presence of low number, but good quality resorts instead of several budget hotels."

This is the first phase, where the administration would invite tenders, after which the investors would put in their proposals for resorts and other tourism-related investments in these islands. The islands include Neil, Havelock, Little Andaman, North Passage, Peel, Aves Island, Rutland, Baratang, Cinque, Interview, Long Island, Middle Andaman, North Andaman, Smith and Ross Island and South Andaman. In the second phase, the investors would revert to the department with its projects and proposals, which would be approved for investment.

The department has zeroed in on the 15 locations after consultation with the industry viz tour operators and has selected the best beaches suited for adventure sports and nature tourism. The administration is keen on implementing the Green Globe standards - a global benchmarking, certification and improvement system for sustainable travel and tourism, while letting hotels and resorts set shop on the virgin islands.

The tsunami that hit the islands vastly altered its coastline and now the administration has approached the forest department so that it can re-assess and clarify the Coastal Regulatory Zone rules. The commissioner pointed out that wherever the island has revenue land ie where the forest cover is less, the clearances would be faster. Islands with thick forest land would require the Environment Ministry to approve before it invites tenders.

"Once the proposals are approved, we will see how things turn out and accordingly open up the other islands. We will work in a phased manner to aid the tourism industry, while attempting to adhere to the Green Globe norms, Pal said, emphasising that the administration is eager to preserve the islands' pristine beauty.