PORT BLAIR: The Andaman and Nicobar administration Wednesday made purchase of return tickets from Neil and Havelock islands mandatory.
The decision came after the Andaman and Nicobar administration took a note of tourist visiting islands like Neil and Havelock without due consideration to the promulgated shipping schedules and assured return tickets.
“This practice not only puts the tourists into great discomfort but also creates a difficult situation at these Islands which have limited infrastructure. In order to avoid such unpleasant situation, the Directorate of Shipping Services has decided to implement the system of purchase of mandatory return tickets by the tourists while purchasing onwards tickets for Neil and Havelock,” an advisory by Andaman’s Information and Publicity Department said.
The system would be implemented with immediate effect and reviewed after 3 months.
The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) welcomed the step. But stated it would benefit tourists only if the Shipping Department increases the advance ticket booking days to at least seven days as otherwise he or she will be forced to buy expensive tickets of private ferries.