Top hospitality players including Tata group’s Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), Hyatt Hotels Corp, The Leela, and Club Mahindra have expressed interest in developing eco-tourism resorts across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, officials said.
For the first time, uninhabited Aves Island—known for its coconut plantations, coral beds, and a 2-km coastline—will be opened for tourism. Resorts are also planned at Neil Island, Long Island, and Smith Island, all to be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO) invited bids on July 28 to develop the projects on a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer basis. A pre-bid meeting on August 14 drew interest from leading groups including Ambuja Neotia Hospitality, Chalet Hotels, Juniper Hotels, The Park, Polo Hotels, and GVK Group.
ANIIDCO MD Chanchal Yadav said the meeting provided a platform for investors to raise queries and offer suggestions. “Our aim is to transform the Andamans into a global destination of sustainable, nature-led tourism,” Yadav said, adding that site visits for potential bidders are planned for early September.
The administration is also looking to redevelop the Megapode Resort in Port Blair, while the new projects together represent an investment of nearly INR500 crore.
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The Aves Island resort (INR36 crore) will feature 50 rooms.
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Long Island’s Lalaji Bay project (INR391 crore) will house 220 rooms.
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Smith Island’s resort (INR60 crore) will have 70 rooms.
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Neil Island will see another eco-resort developed under the PPP model.
Officials said once operational, Aves Island is likely to emerge as one of the most sought-after destinations after Havelock Island, boosting both tourism and local employment. The bidding process will conclude on September 15.
source: PTI
