Tourism Expenditure Survey launched in Andamans

Tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has received fresh attention with the launch of the Domestic Tourism Expenditure Survey (DTES) by the National Statistics Office (NSO). The year-long study, which began in July 2025, will continue until June 2026 and aims to capture how Indian households spend on travel.

Coordinated by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics in the islands alongside the NSO’s Field Operations Division at Lamba Line, the survey will collect detailed information on transport, accommodation, food and recreational activities, as well as the nature of trips – whether leisure, business or other purposes.

Officials highlight that the findings will contribute to the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), a framework used by the Ministry of Tourism to measure the sector’s role in the national economy. By mapping spending behaviour, the survey will help identify where resources and infrastructure are most needed, and how local communities can benefit more effectively from visitor flows.

The NSO has appealed to residents to support the exercise, assuring that all household data will remain confidential. This cooperation is considered vital to gather accurate insights that will shape both national and regional tourism policies.

For the islands, where tourism is both an economic lifeline and a sector with high growth potential, the results are expected to guide future strategies. Beyond measuring expenditure, the survey could also shed light on inclusivity in travel, highlighting barriers that prevent wider participation and helping shape more accessible tourism for all.