Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair, January 20, 2026: When the number of tourists to the Andaman Islands went up 120% in just one year—from 3.23 lakh visitors in 2023 to 7.10 lakh in 2024, headlines praised the growth. But the real story isn’t about how many tourists came. It’s the driver of the car who went from one to three cars. The owner of the homestay whose kids are now in college. The dive instructor is serving twice as many clients without adding any equipment. Reliable ferry schedules are driving a micro-entrepreneurship revolution across the archipelago.
Building Careers, Empowering Communities
Behind these numbers are real people whose lives have been transformed. Nautika’s commitment to local employment has created opportunities for up to 50 people from the islands, many of whom started as entry-level staff and have progressed through the years to become skilled professionals contributing significantly to the company’s growth. The company has consistently hired interns and recent college graduates, providing them with hands-on training, industry exposure, and professional certifications that have become valuable stepping stones in their career journeys.
What’s particularly noteworthy is Nautika’s strong female representation in its workforce, with women forming a significant majority across several operational and customer-facing roles. In a region where employment opportunities for women have traditionally been limited, Nautika has created a platform where women not only shine professionally but also contribute meaningfully to their families’ economic well-being.
The Economy of the Terminal
Ferry terminals have become important parts of the economy. What used to be quiet jetties are now busy business areas. Businesses are seeing considerable growth: as per best estimates, transport services have grown substantially, cafes and restaurants are experiencing significant increases in customer footfall, handicraft vendors have multiplied, and tour guide registrations have shown remarkable growth.
It’s not just more tourists that are the secret; it’s being able to predict what will happen. When ferry schedules are reliable, cafe owners can stock up on supplies knowing when the busiest times are. Drivers of cars strategically place themselves around arrivals. Homestay owners are happy to take reservations in advance. This ability to plan has turned businesses that used to be about survival into businesses that are growing.
The Readiness Bonus
Here’s what the operators found out: tourists who take comfortable, reliable ferries spend their money differently. Instead of resting for half a day, they book dives right away in the afternoon. They don’t rest; they explore. They come full of energy, not tired.
Dive centers say that their capacity has gone up by 40% to 60%. This is not because they got new equipment, but because tourists are ready to dive when they get there. The change in psychology is economic: new visitors spend more money and do so more quickly. Industry observers call it the “readiness premium,” and it has brought in significant additional revenue for local businesses.
Women Taking the Lead
The biggest change? As per best estimates, businesses run by women have shown impressive growth across the islands. During the off-season, spare rooms that were turned into homestays now bring in most of the household income. Female participation in the tourism sector, particularly as tour guides, has grown considerably. Women’s cooperatives that sell local goods to tourists have expanded significantly. Nautika’s operations align with the Government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and tourism boost schemes supported by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, creating an infrastructure that enables systematic planning, investment, and sustainable growth in the islands.
Reliable ferry schedules made it possible to book ahead of time, turning businesses with uncertain income streams into reliable ones. For a lot of families, this money now pays for their kids’ college and helps them move up in the world “Every reliable ferry departure has an economic effect on dozens of businesses,” says Anoop Kumar, Director of Nautika. “The car driver got three more rides. The homestay owner is happy to take advance bookings. The dive instructor plans afternoon classes because he knows tourists will be excited when they arrive. That predictability changes subsistence into business. We’re helping thousands of families start businesses that will last and make money for generations.”
That multiplier effect is what really changes the economy.
Hotels near ferry routes are experiencing significantly higher occupancy rates compared to previous years. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about changing how things work. Confirmed bookings make it easier to plan. Fewer cancellations improve inventory management. Guests who arrive energized and happy leave better reviews.
Industry stakeholders consistently emphasize that efficient inter-island connectivity is foundational to tourism growth. Better transportation infrastructure has created jobs across hospitality, transportation, construction, and supply chain sectors.
With over 710,000 domestic tourists visiting the islands in 2024—a 120% increase from 323,000 in 2023—ferry-dependent businesses have become integral to the islands’ service economy. This remarkable growth trajectory continues to accelerate, creating expanding opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Building Social Capital: More Than Just Money
The change goes beyond money. As per best estimates, hundreds of people from the area have earned hospitality certifications, building professional skills for long-term career growth. Digital payment adoption near ferry terminals is significantly higher than the island average, as per industry observations and local stakeholder feedback. There are now more than 1,000 young people on the island who work in tourism jobs that didn’t even exist five years ago. Roads, sanitation, and the internet around terminals have all gotten better for whole communities.
The story of the Andaman Islands is really about how infrastructure can help people reach their full potential. People can plan when transportation is reliable. They can invest when they can plan. They can build wealth if they can invest.
Drivers of cars are getting bigger fleets. Homestays pay for school. Dive centers are doubling their space. Vendors are growing three times as fast. This isn’t just a side effect of tourism; it’s a direct result of the economy rewarding confidence and punishing uncertainty.
The ferry schedule in the Andamans is more than just a schedule now. It’s the heart of the economy, steady and life-giving to the business ecosystem that surrounds it. And that heartbeat is sending out waves that will last for generations.
