**1. Introduction**

Tourism is one of the driving forces of global economic growth and has become increasingly competitive in the global arena. Tourism accounts for almost 10% of global GDP, generates more than US\$ 1.5 trillion in trade income or 30% of the world's services exports, and provides one

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in eleven jobs worldwide [1]. As per the India's Tourism Statistics Report (2014), India's foreign exchange earnings from tourism is US\$ 20.24 billion at annual growth rate of 4.0%. India's position in the World Tourism Receipts is at 15th place, and in the Asia and Pacific Region, India retains seventh place. During 2014, the number of Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) to the States/ Union Territories (UTs) was 22.57 million as compared to 19.95 million in 2013 and 18.26 million in 2012 and registered a growth of 13.12% over 2013 as compared to a growth of 9.24% in 2013 over 2012 (MoT, 2014). The top 10 source countries for Foreign Tourist Arrivals in India in 2014 include United States (14.57%), Bangladesh (12.27%), United Kingdom (10.92%), Sri Lanka (3.20%), Russian Federation (3.51%), Canada (3.50%), Malaysia (3.41%), France (3.20%), Australia (3.12%), and Germany (3.11%) and other countries (38.44%).

Similar to the Foreign Tourist Arrival, "domestic tourism also plays an important role in overall tourism development in the country. The number of domestic tourist visits increased from 462 million in 2006 to 740 million in 2010. In 2009, when the country witnessed a negative growth of 2.2% in foreign tourists arrivals, domestic tourist visits registered a growth of 18.8%. This growth of domestic tourist visit sustained tourism infrastructure during the lean period of tourism sector [2]. There has been a continuous increase in India's domestic tourist visit to its all states/UTs from 1991 to 2012, with the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) being 13.96%.

India is one of the few countries that offer a wide range of destinations for potential tourists. Tourism has grown in leaps and bounds over the years with each region of India contributing to its splendour and exuberance. In India, the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is the nodal agency for the development and promotion of tourism in the country and also responsible for international cooperation in tourism (Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 as amended up to 12th Feb 2016). The MoT formulates national policies and programs and coordinates activities of various government and private agencies for the development and promotion of tourism in the country. The National Tourism Policy, formulated in the year 2002, aims for tourism development in India in a systematic manner, positioning it as a major engine of economic growth and to harness its direct and multiplier effects for employment and poverty eradication in an environmentally sustainable manner.

National Council of Applied Economic Research (2014) [3], using the data from International Passenger Survey 2010–2011, observed that monuments, forts, palaces, museums, hill stations, and beaches are some of the motivational factors that are influencing the decision of potential tourists visiting India. The ANI is one of the largest tourist areas in India that provide for a unique combination of terrestrial, mangrove, coastal, and marine ecosystems. The bays, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass meadows, beaches, and caves make these islands special and attract both international and domestic tourists each year. "The Island Administration has the vision to develop the islands as an upmarket island destination for ecotourism through environmen‐ tally sustainable development of infrastructure without disturbing the natural ecosystem with the objective of creating more employment opportunities and synergize socio-economic development of the islands" [4]. Tourist visit including foreign visitors to ANI is on the increasing trend. The year 2000 witnessed a total number of 86,066 visitors to ANI which has grown up to 146,990 in the year 2007 and 218,035 in the year 2011 and 256,237 in the year 2012 [5]. The tourist arrival to ANI for the year 2013–2014 is 258,418 (with 17,811 foreign tourists). With the continuous increase in tourist flow to Andaman Islands and subsequent population pressure, there is a need to understand the tourism carrying capacity (TCC) for various tourist destinations in the island in addition to the importance given toward environmental protec‐ tion, while planning for tourism development particularly in areas such as wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, and other fragile ecosystems.
