Govt. committed to making A.P. top tourist destination in India, says official
Recognising tourism as a growth engine, the State government is going the extra mile to transform Andhra Pradesh into the top tourist destination in the country within the next five years, said Special Chief Secretary, Tourism and Housing Ajay Jain.
Speaking to the media at Bhimavaram in West Godavari district on Thursday (May 22), he said tourism sector was accorded industry status and several major projects were being rolled out to change the face of Andhra Pradesh landscape. Andhra Pradesh was the 12th State in the country to grant industry status to tourism to provide subsidies, incentives and infrastructure support and attract investors, he added.
Homestays
He said aligning its vision with the ancient Indian adage 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (Guest is God), special focus was laid on homestays. Currently, 1,842 homestay units are operating across the State, with 561 in Tirupati alone, he said, adding that the homestay model was being promoted to offer tourists authentic experiences rooted in rural culture, agriculture practices and local crafts. He said the Manthena Heritage in West Godavari was a model homestay that reflected this spirit.
He said training programmes were being conducted for pilot tourist projects in Dindi and Araku, in partnership with women-led organisations like the Society for Eradication of Rural Poverty (SERP) and Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA).
Speaking about infrastructure and investments, he said 27 major hotels had already begun construction, which would create nearly 18,000 jobs. Other projects included a floating restaurant on the Krishna river, development of Berm Park in Vijayawada, luxury houseboats in Konaseema's backwaters, a theme park and a water park on Bhavani Island and a cable bridge between Polavaram and Pattiseema.
He said land allotments for investments under ₹50 crore would be made via competitive bidding.
Tourism circuits
Mr. Jain said the State was developing circuits around temple tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism and wellness and agri-tourism. He said key destinations would be developed at spiritual sites like Tirumala, Srikalahasti, Srisailam, Kanipakam, Simhachalam, Antarvedi, Vijayawada's Kanaka Durga temple and Puttaparthi, nature tourism at Araku Valley, Borra Caves, Papikondalu, Horsely Hills, Kolleru Lake and Pulicat Lake and historical sites like Amaravati Stupa and the Dowleswaram Barrage.
Pointing to the fact that Andhra Pradesh had the third longest coastline in India, Mr. Jain said the government was working to achieve Blue Flag certification for beaches at Kakinada, Suryalanka, Mypadu and Ramapuram.
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