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    TRAVEL & TOURISM                                                          JULY 24, 2026    |  The Indian Eye 45

             Andaman to Add Eight New Scuba                                                                          New Zealand

                    Diving Sites to Boost Tourism                                                                   Steps Up India
                                                                                                                     Tourism Push

                                                                                                                        ourism New Zealand is inten-
                                                                                                                        sifying its engagement with the
                                                                                                                  TIndian travel market through
                                                                                                                  a series of trade initiatives, including
                                                                                                                  an October multi-city roadshow and
                                                                                                                  the Kiwi Link trade event in Goa, as it
                                                                                                                  seeks to capitalize on India’s growing
                                                                                                                  outbound travel demand and deepen
                                                                                                                  industry partnerships.
                                                                                                                      The expanded outreach comes
                                                                                                                  amid strengthening bilateral rela-
                                                                                                                  tions  between  India and New  Zea-
                                                                                                                  land  and  reflects  the  destination’s
                                                                                                                  strategy to position itself as a year-
                                                                                                                  round holiday choice for Indian trav-
                                                                                                                  elers. Tourism New Zealand is work-
                                                                                                                  ing closely with travel trade partners
                                                                                                                  to enhance destination knowledge,
                                                                                                                  build stronger business networks and
                                                                                                                  promote a wider range of tourism ex-
                                                                                                                  periences across the country.
                                                                                                                      As part of the campaign, Tour-
                                                                                                                  ism New Zealand has launched a six-
                                                                                                                  city trade roadshow, bringing togeth-
                                                                                                                  er New Zealand tourism operators
                  he Andaman and Nicobar Ad-  encouraging tourists to explore less-  hood opportunities for local commu-  and leading Indian travel companies.
                  ministration is set to expand its   er-known destinations in the archi-  nities. The additional dive  sites are
            Tscuba diving tourism network     pelago.                           expected to generate employment   The initiative aims to equip travel ad-
                                                                                                                  visors with updated product informa-
            by introducing eight new dive sites   The Directorate of Information,   for dive instructors, boat operators,   tion while fostering new commercial
            in the North and Middle Andaman   Publicity and Tourism, in collabora-  hospitality businesses and other tour-  partnerships that can drive visitor
            regions, marking a significant step to-  tion with Scuba Schools Internation-  ism-related service providers.   arrivals  from  India.  Industry  inter-
            wards promoting sustainable adven-  al (SSI), identified the sites following   The  Andaman  and Nicobar   actions will culminate at Kiwi Link
            ture tourism and diversifying visitor   surveys to assess marine conditions,   Islands are  already  recognized  as   India in Goa, where New Zealand
            experiences across the islands.   safety standards and diving potential.   one of India’s premier scuba diving   suppliers will meet Indian product
                The newly identified sites are lo-  The  initiative  is expected  to  attract   destinations, drawing thousands of
            cated in Diglipur and Mayabunder,   both beginner and experienced div-  domestic and international tourists   managers and tour operators through
                                                                                                                  pre-scheduled business meetings.
            areas  known  for  their  rich  marine   ers by offering a wider range of un-  each year.                 The tourism drive coincides with
            biodiversity, pristine coral reefs and   derwater experiences.          The expansion of diving infra-  a broader expansion in India-New
            relatively  unexplored  underwater    Officials  said  the  move  aligns   structure is expected to strengthen   Zealand ties. The two countries re-
            ecosystems. Tourism officials believe   with the administration’s broader   the islands’ position in the adventure   cently elevated their relationship to
            the expansion will reduce pressure   strategy of promoting eco-friendly   tourism sector while supporting bal-  a Strategic Partnership which seeks
            on existing diving hotspots while   tourism  while creating new liveli-  anced regional tourism development.
                                                                                                                  to strengthen cooperation across
                                                                                                                  trade, education, tourism and peo-
             India Eases Yemen Special Travel Restrictions                                                        ple-to-people exchanges. The New
                                                                                                                  Zealand  government  has  identified
                                                                                                                  India as a priority market, citing its
                  he Government of India has   civil war, when deteriorating securi-  and undertake any unavoidable visits   fast-growing economy, expanding
                  withdrawn the special travel   ty conditions prompted India to re-  only after carefully assessing local   middle class and strong potential for
            Tconditions imposed on Indian     strict travel under the Passports Act.   conditions. Travelers have also been   outbound travel.
            nationals travelling to Yemen, re-  The order rendered Indian passports   urged to stay away from active con-  Travel remains one of the most
            voking  a  2017  notification  that  had   invalid for travel to Yemen unless   flict zones.          significant  services  connecting  the
            declared Indian passports invalid   specifically endorsed by the govern-  The ministry further advised   two nations, alongside education and
            for  travel  to  the  conflict-hit  nation   ment, with violations attracting legal   Indians currently residing in Yemen   business exchanges. With sustained
            without special permission. The   consequences, including passport im-  to remain vigilant, minimize move-  marketing efforts, enhanced trade en-
            Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)   poundment or revocation.       ment, and follow  local  security  ad-  gagement and closer bilateral cooper-
            announced the decision while con-     While the withdrawal removes   visories. Those living in or travelling   ation, Tourism New Zealand expects
            tinuing to caution citizens against   these special travel conditions, the   to Yemen have also been asked to   to strengthen its presence in India and
            non-essential travel due to the fragile   MEA stressed that Yemen continues   register with the Embassy of India in   encourage more travelers to explore
            security situation in the country.  to face significant security challeng-  Riyadh to enable better communica-  the country’s natural landscapes, ad-
                The 2017 notification had been   es. Indian nationals have been ad-  tion and facilitate assistance during   venture experiences and indigenous
            introduced at the height of Yemen’s   vised to avoid all non-essential travel   emergencies.          Māori culture throughout the year.

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