Updated: June 20, 2025 | 10:31 AM IST
Key Announcement
In a landmark push to elevate the Andaman & Nicobar Islands into the premier league of global destinations, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, revealed today that:
“We have approved four five‑star resort projects across select islands and floated an Expression of Interest for a state‑of‑the‑art yacht marina in Port Blair Harbour. These initiatives will set new benchmarks for luxury and accessibility in the archipelago.”
— Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary (View Profile)
Those approvals mark the first phase of a comprehensive tourism roadmap designed under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Islands Development Agency (IDA) ptinews.com.
What This Means for Tourists
- Luxury Stays: Four international hospitality brands will develop eco-sensitive, five‑star properties featuring beachfront villas, infinity pools, and wellness spas.
- Yacht Marina: A 50‑slip marina at Mithakhari, Port Blair, will offer berthing, repair facilities, and a passenger terminal handling up to 1,000 guests—catalyzing adventure cruising and yacht festivals .
- Enhanced Connectivity: Upgrades to Haddo Wharf and Phoenix Bay terminals will streamline arrivals of cruise vessels and superyachts.
- Eco‑Tourism Focus: All projects will adhere to strict environmental safeguards, protecting coral reefs and mangrove ecosystems.
Expert Analysis
Dr. Ritika Sen, Associate Professor of Sustainable Tourism at Pondicherry University, underscores the broader context:
“India’s inbound leisure tourism has grown by over 80% in the past two years (Leisure FTAs reached 4.40 million in 2023), driven by rising global interest in eco‑adventure destinations. This infrastructure push in the Andamans aligns perfectly with national growth trends.”
— Dr. Ritika Sen, Pondicherry University pib.gov.in
According to the Ministry of Tourism’s India Tourism Data Compendium 2024, domestic arrivals surged to 2.51 billion in 2023, a 45% increase year‑on‑year, reflecting robust demand for experiential travel tourism.gov.in.
Timeline & Next Steps
- June–July 2025: Final tender evaluations for resort developers and marina operator.
- Q3 2025: Groundbreaking ceremonies on Havelock and Neil Islands for resort construction.
- December 2026: Expected completion of the yacht marina and first resort openings.
- 2027 Onwards: Launch of a new “Sail the Andamans” Yacht Carnival and annual eco‑tourism symposium.
Daily Digest
- Weekly Check‑In: Track progress every Friday with our “Andaman Tourism Tracker.”
- Insider Alerts: Sign up for real‑time E‑mail updates on tender notices and EoI deadlines.
- Community Voices: Join our moderated forum of local stakeholders and marine biologists.
What Happens Next?
- Investor Briefings: Ministry of Tourism webinar on July 5, 2025.
- Public Consultations: Environmental Impact Assessments open for community comments through mid‑August.
- Booking Alerts: Stay tuned for “opening offers” on resort packages starting Q1 2026.
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