(a) whether the Union Government is contemplating to promote tourism in Andaman and Nicobar Islands;
(b) if so, details thereof;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to attract the foreign and domestic tourists to Andaman and Nicobar Islands;
(d) the extent to which the tourism industry in the Andaman Islands has suffered on account of Tsunami in 2004; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to revive the tourism Industry and the success achieved so far in this direction?
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SMT. AMBIKA SONI)
(a) to (e): Yes, Sir. The Ministry of Tourism has been promoting tourism in Andaman
& Nicobar Islands. This promotion was further reinforced after the Tsunami in
December 2004. A nation-wide print and electronic domestic media campaign was
launched to boost domestic travel to these islands. Brochures and Compact Discs on
Andaman and Nicobar were produced for distribution in domestic and international
markets and Familiarization trips of domestic tour operators and journalists were also
organized.
A statement showing the details of tourist arrivals to Andaman & Nicobar Islands
during the pre and post Tsunami period is as under: -
2004 1,09,582 2005 32,381 2006 1,27,631 2007 (upto October 2007) 1,08,688