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TRAVEL & TOURISM AUGUST 28, 2026 | The Indian Eye 43

Andaman Islands Madhya Pradesh

broaden tourism offerings Draws Praise
from British

with luxury stays Traveller

adhya Pradesh has drawn
ndia’s island territories are ex- fresh attention from in-
panding their tourism offerings, Mternational travellers after
Ifrom lagoon villas and luxury tents British travel creator Jack Heaton de-
in Lakshadweep to astro tourism, scribed the state as “the most slept-on
bird watching and eco-tourism in the place” in India. His comments, made
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as the during a recent visit to Indore, have
government seeks to attract more do- gone viral online, prompting discus-
mestic and international visitors. The sions about the state’s tourism poten-
initiatives were outlined in a written tial and lesser-known attractions.
response in the Rajya Sabha by Minis-
ter of State for Home Nityanand Rai. Heaton is travelling across India as
Tourism has been identified as a part of a personal challenge to visit
key sector for the economic develop- the country’s states and rank them
ment of the islands. In the Andaman based on his experiences.
and Nicobar Islands, authorities are
promoting eco-tourism, cruise, cul- After visiting seven of India’s 28
tural, heritage and adventure tourism states, he placed Madhya Pradesh
while developing new tourist circuits. fifth in his current ranking, behind
Innovative initiatives include caravan Lakshadweep is similarly ex- nect several destinations, while fixed- Kerala, Maharashtra, Goa and Kar-
tourism, luxury tents, houseboats, panding its tourism infrastructure. wing aircraft services to Diglipur, nataka.
bird watching and astro tourism. Lagoon villas are being developed at Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay are Indore, which formed the main
Several accommodation projects Minicoy, Kadmat and Suheli, while planned under UDAN.
are also being developed through 50 luxury tents at Bangaram and Lakshadweep is connected to focus of his Madhya Pradesh trip,
made a particularly strong impres-
the public-private partnership (PPP) 100 at Thinnakara are operational. the mainland by regular flights to Ag- sion. Heaton highlighted the city’s
model. Eco-tourism projects are un- Thundi beach at Minicoy and Kad- atti and by inter-island ferries. Sea- cleanliness, saying it was noticeably
derway at Shaheed Dweep, Aves, mat beach have also received Blue plane landing trials have also been well maintained. He also praised the
Long and Smith Islands, along with Flag certification. conducted at five islands. warmth of local residents, recalling in-
a brownfield project for the Mega- Improved connectivity is expect- The government said the tour- teractions in which people were keen
pode resort at Sri Vijaya Puram. ed to support the expansion. The ism push, alongside infrastructure to help and, on some occasions, re-
Radhanagar beach has received Blue new terminal at Veer Savarkar Inter- and Blue Economy initiatives, is fused to accept payment twice.
Flag certification, while infrastruc- national Airport in Sri Vijaya Puram intended to promote sustainable Food emerged as another ma-
ture at five other beaches has been can handle up to 50 lakh passengers growth and create greater livelihood jor highlight of his visit. Heaton de-
upgraded. annually. Helicopter services con- opportunities.
scribed Indore’s street-food scene as
the best he had experienced in India
Gujarat Converts 17 Lighthouses into Tourism Attractions so far, adding to the city’s appeal as
a destination for visitors looking be-
yond conventional tourist circuits.
ujarat is set to give its mari- expand Gujarat’s tourism offerings more than 680 dolphins, with the However, Heaton acknowl-
time tourism sector a major beyond conventional destinations largest population found in the Ma- edged that his assessment of Madhya
Gboost by developing 17 light- and showcase the state’s long coast- rine National Park and Sanctuary in Pradesh was based on only a few days
houses across the state as tourist at- line and maritime heritage. the Gulf of Kutch. in Indore and that he had not ex-
tractions, adding modern visitor facil- The development is expected The lighthouse initiative adds a plored enough of the wider state. He
ities to historic coastal landmarks. to create new tourism opportunities heritage dimension to this expanding noted that destinations such as Goa
along Gujarat’s coast, potentially maritime tourism landscape. Histor- and Himachal Pradesh can create
The initiative is aimed at turning the benefiting local businesses and com- ic lighthouses can offer visitors pan- an immediate visual impact through
oramic coastal views while also pro-
munities through increased visitor
beaches and mountains, while Mad-
lighthouses into destinations that footfall. The state has increasingly viding an opportunity to learn about hya Pradesh’s attractions may require
combine maritime heritage, sight- focused on coastal and experiential navigation, seafaring and the evolu- more exploration.
His remarks have since prompted
tion of India’s maritime infrastructure.
tourism, seeking to diversify attrac-
seeing and tourism experiences. tions and encourage tourists to ex- The move comes as Gujarat viewers to encourage him to return
plore destinations beyond major cit- continues to promote tourism as an and explore more cities across the
The project will see selected ies and established landmarks. economic driver. Industry represen- state. With Punjab reportedly next
lighthouses equipped with facilities Gujarat’s coastline already sup- tatives have highlighted the potential on his India itinerary, his continuing
designed to make them more acces- ports a range of marine attractions. of experiential and coastal tourism to state-by-state journey is generating
sible and attractive to visitors. The A 2025 survey covering 4,087 sq km generate employment and strength- interest among viewers following his
move is part of a broader effort to of the state’s marine area recorded en regional economies. travel rankings.

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