Island Tourism Festival 2025 in Sri Vijaya Puram Celebrates Their Cultural Diversity and Tourism Potential, Driving Future Growth and Sustainability of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Published on December 27, 2025

The highly anticipated Island Tourism Festival 2025 was inaugurated on December 27 in Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a five-day feast of local culture, various artistic traditions, and the tourism potential of the islands. One of the biggest annual tourism events in the region, this festival is being organised at the ITF Ground on VIP Road and will be concluded on December 31.

It is being organized by the Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism in association with the Directorate of Art and Culture and other departments of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Government departments, self-help groups, and local artisans will come together to provide an interactive session with the public to explore the potential of tourism in the islands and evoke community involvement and participation. A host of colorful performances at the inaugural ceremony showcased the grand fusion between island and mainland traditions, setting the tone for a festival that showcases the diversity of India’s regional cultures while depicting the distinct identity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

A Decentralized Approach to Include Remote Island Communities

In a bid to extend the festival’s reach beyond Sri Vijaya Puram, cultural events are scheduled at multiple locations across South Andaman, North and Middle Andaman, and the Nicobar group of islands. Venues include Marina Esplanade, Wandoor, Wimberlygunj, Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and Hut Bay in South Andaman; Baratang, Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur in North and Middle Andaman; and Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay in the Nicobar Islands. This decentralized format ensures wider public participation, especially among residents of remote islands who might otherwise be excluded from such large-scale events.

A Diverse Cultural Lineup: Showcasing India’s Regional Traditions

For the first time, the festival is welcoming cultural troupes from multiple states and Union Territories across India. Artistes from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions are joining local artists to present a diverse cultural lineup that includes classical, folk, and tribal art forms. Collaborations with national cultural institutions like the South Zone Cultural Centre and the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre further enrich the program, ensuring that the festival offers a truly pan-Indian cultural experience for visitors.

Engaging Exhibitions and Competitions for All Ages

Alongside the cultural performances, the Island Tourism Festival 2025 includes a variety of exhibitions and competitions that highlight local crafts, agriculture, and community creativity. Popular attractions include flower, vegetable, fruit, and pet shows, as well as rangoli competitions and other public-interest activities organized by different government departments.

Self-help groups are also participating in the festival, showcasing and selling local handicrafts and homemade products, providing livelihood opportunities for local artisans and contributing to economic empowerment. These exhibitions emphasize the islands’ artisanal heritage and help create a market for traditional crafts, while also fostering community pride and tourism awareness.

Promoting Health Awareness Through the Healthy Baby Contest

A key social component of the festival is the Healthy Baby Contest, organized by the Directorate of Health Services in collaboration with the Union Territory Health Mission. Scheduled for December 30, this event encourages health awareness and early childhood immunization in the region. Open to children from South Andaman, the contest will help spread public health messages in a festive setting, reinforcing the importance of health education alongside tourism and cultural celebrations.

Enhancing Family Engagement with Food, Recreation, and Entertainment

The Island Tourism Festival 2025 offers something for everyone, making it a truly family-oriented event. Food courts serve a variety of cuisines, providing an opportunity to experience local flavors and international dishes. Recreational games for children, along with a Hasya Kavi Sammelan (a comedic poetry session) organized by the Department of Official Language, add entertainment and lighthearted fun to the festive atmosphere, making the festival a wholesome experience for families.

Managing Increased Footfall: Traffic and Accessibility Measures

Given the expected high attendance, the South Andaman District Administration has implemented traffic regulations to ensure smooth access to the venue. From 3 pm to 10 pm, the stretch from Hayat Singh Junction to RBV Junction will operate as one-way, with restrictions on vehicle movement towards VIP Road and the diversion of heavy vehicles. Designated parking areas for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers have been arranged at multiple locations to ease congestion and ensure easy access for all visitors.

The Future Impact of Island Tourism: Growth and Sustainability

Looking ahead, the Island Tourism Festival has the potential to drive long-term tourism growth in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By showcasing the region’s cultural richness and tourism potential, the festival is expected to play a key role in attracting domestic and international visitors, contributing to regional economic development. The focus on sustainability in tourism and community-based models ensures that the tourism growth remains inclusive and environmentally responsible.

Furthermore, the success of the festival sets a precedent for similar future events across other islands in the Indian Ocean, positioning the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an increasingly prominent destination for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. As tourism infrastructure improves and awareness of the region grows, the festival’s impact will likely be felt year-round, supporting the growth of the local tourism industry while preserving the unique ecological and cultural assets of the islands.

Celebrating Culture, Tourism, and Sustainability in the Andaman Islands

The Island Tourism Festival has the potential to ensure long-term tourism growth in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is expected to showcase the cultural richness and tourism potential of the region, playing a leading role in attracting both domestic and international visitors and undertaking regional economic development. Emphasis on sustainable tourism and community-based models further ensures that such tourism growth is inclusive and ecologically responsible.

Further, the success of the festival becomes a role model for similar festivals that may be conducted in the future in other Indian Ocean islands. Moreover, This automatically positions the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as an increasingly important destination for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. As a result, infrastructure related to tourism develops and awareness of the region increases, the impact of the festival will likely become all-year-round, contribute to the development of the local tourism industry, and allow for the protection of the unique ecological and cultural assets of the islands.