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It’s not just a new year but a brand new decade. So many things have changed in the last 10 years, one of them being the way technology has impacted travel and our lives in general. We are now viewing travel from the lens of what is trending on social and classifying if locations are instagrammable. We are also moving from being tourists to travellers, seeking out more local experiences. Our attitude is gearing some of us to be more mindful and sustainable travellers. We all, undoubtedly, have some travel plans for 2020. Here are the most popular travel resolutions that you too can adopt for the year

1.       I will take up sustainable travel

This is the need of the hour. From refusing single use plastics to hiring a local tour guide, you can take up simple tasks that contribute to sustainable tourism. Buying local handicrafts, for example, is a great way to boost local economy. At the same time, many popular tourist destinations take advantage of this and over-price items that have the ‘local’ tag on them. It’s a fine line and its best to do your research before you buy.

2.       Take the road less traveled – literally

We are losing some amazing destinations to over tourism. We are all witness to the sad story of the Maya Bay which was made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach movie which is now closed for tourists until 2021. Going to popular tourist places during vacation season leaves you jostling for breathing space. At times like these, it is great to head out to the lesser-known places which are likely to give you an equally great experience but may even cost less.

3.       Travel the lost corners of your home country

We often look for dazzling experiences everywhere else while a hidden gem is just a few kilometers away. In a country like India, there is so much to discover! Take Andaman – everyone knows Radhanagar beach as the must visit but there are so many little islands in the archipelago that offer an equally amazing experience. If you are looking for a non-touristy itinerary for Andaman, write to us on reservations@andamanholidays.com

4.       Travel to 15 destinations by 2022

Our honorary Prime Minister has urged everyone to travel to at least 15 destinations by 2022. Talk about having travel goals! This time leave out the Goas and Shimlas. Add the less popular destinations to your bucket list. And of course, don’t forget to add Andaman which is a perfect mix of a popular tourist location but still having many tiny gems to discover

5.       Take it slow

It is sometimes not about covering 20 cities in 20 days and tick things off your list. Instead it is about spending a week in a place and getting immersed in the experience and just being there in the moment. The best travel moments sometimes come when you aren’t trying hard to find them.

6.       Go off social while you travel

Go off social media and notifications. Disconnect to reconnect. These aren’t mere phrases. It’s time to try this and see if this allows you to feel free and release you from the pressure to constantly look good for Instagram stories. The world really doesn’t need to know where you are at this moment. The world can wait while you enjoy that sunset.

7.       Stay fit during travel

Having more to travel doesn’t mean you lose your fitness regimen. Find way to incorporate this during your travel. Make your food choices healthier and carry healthy snacks with you so that you aren’t tempted to buy chips and chocolates on the go. Pack your fitness clothes when you travel and keep time aside during the morning to ensure you don’t have any excuses for not working out.

8.       You will use all your long weekends

2020 is a blessed year with so many festive days coming as long weekends. Plan in advance so that you can get a good deal on your travel and stay options.
For some good deals on hotels in Andaman, don’t forget to write to us today on

Every year, thousands of tourists visit the Andaman Islands mesmerized by the picture-perfect postcard scenery that they see online. The expectation is to see crystal clear waters, pristine beaches and natural beauty that is unpolluted by human touch. As locals and torch bearers of the Andaman tourism experience, our love for the islands drives us to ensure people get what they’ve imagined.

While this is our mission and vision, if you plan to visit the islands, you should make it your priority too. After all many among us are riddled with the ‘It doesn’t matter’ attitude so entrenched in our systems that many don’t think twice before tossing the chips wrapper on the beach.

Each of us can make an effort to enjoy the natural beauty of Andamans and also do as much as possible to leave this beauty intact for future generations. Here’s how we can be mindful

Don’t carry plastic to the Islands
Even if you are travelling to Andaman for 6 to 7 days, avoid carrying any plastic items and bags. For an unfortunate event that something breaks or wears off, it will reach the landfill here. There are several good packaging alternatives.

Go with recyclables: From electronics to plastic to clothing, recycling is a key to un-choling the waste generated in our planet. Recyclables don’t cost as much. Besides, it is the right thing to do.

Don’t litter – anywhere!
Littering and spitting are common habits in India. Here people generally carry the attitude that someone else is littering too, so can I. Change begins with us. That one bottle less in the ocean makes one fish very lucky.

Be mindful of the little things – If you notice that a local serves you water as a Bisleri bottle, request them to offer it in a glass or steel jar. Reuse your towels in the hotel and take them out for washing only when you need it.

Follow rules: Most of our rules to dissuade the use of plastic is in place. Locals like us are happy to sphere head the solutions. As travellers and tourists, all you need to do is not bring in anything that can cause a harm to the environment.

Have a great idea? Write to us

572 islands form a small dotted cluster on the world map that can hardly be spotted unless you focus your attention on the southern tip of India. Home to pristine white sand beaches, mud volcanoes, limestone caves, ancient tribes and tropical rainforests whose inhabitants are still being discovered, the islands are a true treasure trove for the discerning traveller.

Here are 10 reasons why your vacation plan should veer off to Andamans right away

1. Radhanagar beach

This is invariably the number 1 tourist attraction of the islands. Voted as the 7^th best beach in the world, Radhanagar or Beach No. 7 does live up to its reputation. The stunning beach attracts the tourist crowd but you are likely to find a distant spot to enjoy a quite sunrise

2. Havelock island

If you want to give the crowd a miss, you can travel to other beaches on Havelock. These are just about as beautiful but less crowded. Several of them offer underwater sports that you’ll want to enjoy at leisure

3 Stay in a cottage by the beach

It is exactly as you’ve dreamed of it. You open the door and can hear the sound of the waves and see the beach sunrise and sunset with wind in your hair and sand in your feet. Choose one of the beach cottage stay options to experience what it feels like to live inside a picture postcard

4. Superb dive sites

Give a skip to the regular dive spots off Havelock and instead you can can get to scuba sites explored by very few people in the world. From exotic marine life to ship wrecks to even an active volcano, the underwater sights you’ll see will leave you mesmerized.

5. Drive through a tropical rain forests

On your way to Diglipur, you’ll be a part of the convoy that travels through Andaman’s thick tropical rain forest. It is quite an experience to wake up at 3AM to join this convoy that travels non-stop through a canopy of green until reaches its destination.

6. Try the best seafood

The islands are spotted with restaurants that serve a variety of Indian local delicacies. The best of all are the ones that serve fresh catch of the day made with the right mix of spices. It is a mouth watering dinner after a long day filled with adventure.

7. Come face to face with dramatic history

During India’s tough freedom struggle, several freedom fighters were enslaved in the infamous Cellular jail on the islands. Built as a fortress and witness to horrific incidents, the jail’s sound and light show is a must watch to know the sacrifices of the time that was instrumental in egging India forward in its freedom movement

8 Limestone caves

The limestone caves in Andaman is an intriguing sight. The natural wonder is lined up with stalactites and stalagmites and are also home to the rare Swiftlet bird that builds edible nests.

9. Mud volcanoes:

For most people, it is an unimaginable thought to confront a live volcano. Even then the harmless mud volcanoes are quite a sight. Spewing liquid mud, it is best to keep your distance from the little eruptions

10 Trek to the top

It is rare for a small set of islands to offer so much variety. In that sense, the Andaman islands are an absolute delight where you can have a nice little trek to the top of Mount Harriet to get a breathtaking view of the islands

Did you think of the Andaman islands as just a simple tourist destination. The turn of events in the recent past show that the islands are changing. There is a lot happening under the surface – literally and figuratively. In as less as a decade, we will see history unravel islands that are better that what we have imagined.

For several decades, governments have debated the costs and benefits of developing the islands. These debates have been conducted in the light of environmental concerns and the need to protect local indigenous tribes. Eventually, the need to leverage the strategic advantage of the islands outweighed the risks. And here we are in a time seeing the future being built. Haven’t had the chance to see these? Here’s a quick view

1. Submarine fibre optic cable between Chennai and Port Blair

People debate this as a boon or a bane. The tourists visiting islands have treasured their isolation as a way to forcibly cut off from the social media and messaging glare and enjoy the natural peace and beauty. But that can’t be a reason to stop development that is tied to economic progress. The fibre optic cables are bound to increase the speed of communication and along with increased connectivity

2. Sustainable development of the islands

The NITI Aayog is busy planning the sustainable development of five islands –  Smith, Ross, Aves, Long and Little Andaman. The ‘Island Development Agency’ was established in 2017 and latest news suggests a lot of investor interest to generate eco-tourism

3. Improving maritime security

Since busy shipping routes like the Ten Degree Channel are close to the islands the Indian navy may elevate the conditions of the islands to advance its own maritime goals.

4. Improving inter-island connectivity: There are both highway and shipping projects to improve the connectivity between North, Middle and South Andamans. The project is set to improve tourism thus bringing more economic stability to the islands over a the next few years.
5. The India-Japan collaboration to create smart islands: Though the details of this project is not fully clear, Port Blair could just about be in line to be developed like Delhi and Tokyo into a smart city. It could very well be in the line of Paris redeveloping the reunion islands.

While we peer into the future and read the signs of the times to come, we can only be excited to be a part of the generation that is witnessing this history unfold.