The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are poised to enter a new phase of eco-tourism development as leading hospitality companies plan to create sustainable resorts across four destinations – Neil Island, Long Island, Smith Island, and the pristine Aves Island, which will welcome tourists for the very first time. The initiative, to be executed on a public-private partnership (PPP) model, aims to balance infrastructure development with ecological preservation in one of India’s most fragile yet stunning biodiversity zones.
Among the new sites, Aves Island stands out for its untouched natural beauty. Located near Mayabunder town, the island offers coconut plantations, coral beds, and a 2-km coastline ideal for nature-based activities like camping and eco-adventures. With a project cost of nearly INR 36 crore, the Aves Island resort will feature about 50 rooms on 2.75 hectares of leased land, positioning it to potentially rival Havelock Island as one of the region’s top tourist attractions.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd (ANIIDCO) issued bids on July 28 for the development of these resorts under a design, build, finance, operate, and transfer (DBFOT) model. Additionally, the administration has plans to redevelop the government-owned Megapode Resort in Port Blair to further strengthen island tourism infrastructure. These projects align with the vision of transforming the Andaman & Nicobar Islands into a global hub for eco-friendly tourism.
A pre-bid virtual meeting held on August 14 drew strong interest from major hospitality groups including IHCL (Taj Hotels), Hyatt, Club Mahindra, The Leela, and Chalet Hotels. During the session, officials addressed investor concerns, encouraged suggestions, and reinforced sustainability as the guiding principle of the projects. Chanchal Yadav, MD of ANIIDCO, emphasized that transparency and dialogue with stakeholders were critical to shaping a robust, conservation-oriented tourism plan.
Site visits for investors are scheduled for early September, offering firsthand insights into the proposed locations, while the final bidding process will take place on September 15, 2025. Once completed, the projects are expected to create local employment opportunities, increase tourism revenues, and highlight the Andaman Islands as a leading example of sustainable, nature-integrated travel and hospitality.
