The representatives of the travel trade feel that high transportation tax is acting as a deterrant to increasing tourist movement into Andaman Islands, despite attractive offer of tourism packages to the region.

The visitors have to pay 18 per cent tax on air tickets while travelling to island state besides the higher tax for aviation turbine fuel (ATF) price.

The demand was raised at the national conclave on tourism development in the Andaman islands organised jointly by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Andaman Chamber of Commerce here on Monday.

Speaking at the seminar, additional director general for tourism, S Venkataraman underlined the need for developing tourist packages utilising the unique advantages of the islands.

He stressed the importance of preserving the unique ecological attribute of the islands strongly.

Recommending withdrawal of tax on air tickets between mainland and Port Blair, the represetatives of the industry also sought increase in the number and frequency of flights.