Monday, August 1 2005 19:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Port Blair: Undeterred by the last year's Tsunami that claimed 10,000 lives, Andaman and Nicobar islands administration continues to hardsell the region's tourism, the mainstay of the islands economy.

The Union Territiory administration here is contemplating opening up some new islands for tourists because some of the attractive tourist spots such as Covyn's Cove beach, Jollybuoy, Red Skin, Water Sport Complex have already been devoured by the devastating Tsunami last year.

An Aitken Spence Hotels management team, led by its Managing Director Malin Hapiguda, was in the islands to explore the possibilities of developing and operating high value resorts, which would cater to very high-end tourists even as the tremor measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale shook the islands on July 24.

The team members, impressed by the opportunities that the scenic Andamans offers, held a meeting with the Lt. Governor Ram Kapse, Chief Secretary D S Negi and other senior officers of the administration to give shape to their investment plans.

Earlier, the Indian Airlines had brought the second team of tour delegates to the islands, within a span of one month, to explore the post-Tsunami tourism potential of the archipelago.

Enthused by the Andaman administration's response and determination to move ahead to revive the tourism, the team has gone back to bring back hordes of tourists to the islands, especially from West Bengal.