Industry associations play a critical role in shaping regional tourism ecosystems, and leadership transitions often reflect broader industry priorities. The latest AATO elections underline strong member engagement, with a decisive mandate setting the tone for the association’s next term.
The Andaman Association of Tour Operators (AATO) conducted its elections on 2 May 2026 at Hotel Sun Sea Resort, Sri Vijayapuram, recording a voter turnout of over 99 per cent. A total of 46 candidates contested for 23 positions, including office bearers and executive committee members, with the process conducted under the supervision of Returning Officer Abdul Siddique and Assistant Returning Officer CP Mohammed Yousuf.
Mohan Vinod, leading Team Bat, was elected President with a significant majority, reflecting strong support from members. The newly elected leadership team includes K Hamza, S Siva, K Navneeth, and Javed Ali as Vice Presidents, Saikat Biswas as General Secretary, Dinesh Singh as Treasurer, and Mohammed Sajid, K Sathya Murthi, M Purushotham, and Amrita Singh as Joint Secretaries. Ek Mohammed Rafique has been appointed Organising Secretary, alongside 11 Executive Committee Members, completing the 23-member body for the 2026–2028 term.
Strong mandate and industry focus
The elections saw high participation, signalling collective intent among members to strengthen the association and drive tourism growth in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Mohan Vinod, President, AATO, said, “I thank all AATO members for their overwhelming support and trust. Our team will work collectively for the betterment of the tourism industry in the islands.”
Saikat Biswas, General Secretary, AATO, added, “We sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Returning Officer and his team, polling agents, police personnel, and the media for ensuring the smooth, fair, and peaceful conduct of the elections.”
Focus on collaboration and growth
The smooth and transparent conduct of the elections, coupled with the near-unanimous participation, highlights the association’s internal cohesion. Team Bat’s sweeping victory is expected to shape AATO’s agenda over the next two years, with a focus on collaboration, industry representation, and strengthening tourism development across the islands.
With a renewed leadership team in place, AATO is positioned to play an active role in addressing industry challenges and supporting the growth of tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.