
Andhra Pradesh tourism wins ‘Emerging Coastal and Heritage Award'
In a statement released on Thursday, the Tourism Department said: 'The ITCTA has selected Andhra Pradesh in recognition of the State's outstanding achievements and entrepreneurial approach, particularly in promoting coastal and heritage tourism. This award is a testament to the State's innovative policies, new initiatives, and revolutionary reforms in the tourism sector.'
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) Managing Director Amarpali Kata congratulated the team and expressed gratitude to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, APTDC Chairman Nukasani Balaji and Principal Secretary Ajay Jain for their support and guidance.
'This award is a significant recognition of the State's efforts to promote tourism and will further boost the sector's growth,' said Ms. Amrapali as she reaffirmed her commitment to taking Andhra Pradesh tourism to new heights and making it a preferred tourist destination.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Cabinet nod for free bus travel for women
Vijayawada: The state Cabinet on Wednesday approved free bus travel for women across the state from August 15. Under the 'Stree Shakti' scheme, the government will provide free travel for women in nearly 75 per cent of the APSRTC's total operational fleet of 11,449 buses. The Cabinet also okayed the privatisation of 22 hotels and resorts of the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) 'to improve service quality, operational efficiency, and revenue'. Other major decisions taken by the Cabinet, at its 27th e-meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat, included approval of the AP Land Incentive for Tech Hub (LIFT) Policy (4.0) for 2024-2029, aimed at attracting major IT companies by offering them land at a subsidised rate of Rs 0.99 per acre across the state. Information & Public Relations, and Housing Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy announced the decisions made by the Cabinet approving important proposals, with focus on fulfilling the coalition government's promises. Parthasarathy said that contrary to reports that 'Stree Shakti' would be implemented only in select districts with limited fleet, women will be allowed to travel free in a total of 8,456 buses. The scheme is expected to cost the government Rs 1,942 crore annually, or approximately Rs 162 crore per month. Services such as Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Metro Express, and Express will offer free travel to women, benefiting approximately 2.62 crore women, girls, and transgender individuals annually. Each family could save up to Rs 1,000 per month through this initiative, the Minister said. Passengers will need to show an Aadhar, voter, or ration card as ID. The approval of the free bus travel scheme for women, aside from other significant schemes like NTR Bharosa and Thalliki Vandanam demonstrates the government's commitment to its promises, he observed. The Cabinet approved a proposal to select agencies to manage and operate 22 hotels and resorts of the APTDC. The corporation's properties will be divided into six clusters and handed over to private operators. The Cabinet also approved the cancellation of the land allotment to the Oberoi Group in Tirupati, following a request to this effect from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams Board and concerns expressed by locals about the need to maintain the sanctity of Tirumala. The government will now facilitate a land swap with TTD for the AP Tourism Authority (APTA) land. The Cabinet has also given its nod for an amendment to the AP Excise (Grant of Licences) Rules to allow "permit rooms" (in-shop drinking facilities) at A4 liquor shops for the 2024-26 licence period. The new policy will allow these rooms for a licence fee of Rs 5-7.5 lakh, generating estimated additional revenue of Rs 256 crore annually.


The Hindu
2 days ago
- The Hindu
Cabinet approves new LIFT policy to attract top-tier IT/ITeS firms, GCCs
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved a series of decisions across tourism, technology, and energy sectors, signalling a balanced approach to economic development and public welfare on Wednesday. Disclosing the details, I&PR Minister Kolusu Parthasaradhi said the Cabinet approved the new LIFT Policy 4.0 (2024–29), offering land at a nominal rate of ₹0.99 per acre to attract top-tier IT/ITeS firms, GCCs, and developers. Eligibility is strictly limited to Fortune/Forbes-ranked firms, or companies with at least $1billion in annual revenue, or market capitalisation. Job creation mandates include 3,000 jobs for IT firms and 2,000 for GCCs within three years. Developers must build large-scale office infrastructure and begin construction in six months of land allotment. In the tourism sector, the Cabinet approved outsourcing of 22 APTDC-run hotels and resorts across six clusters to private operators through a competitive RFP process. The goal is to improve service quality and financial sustainability. Operators must demonstrate experience managing 3-star or higher properties, and meet strict financial and operational criteria. While 46 permanent employees will remain with APTDC, the rest of the 418 staff will be transferred to new operators. Selected firms will also be responsible for renovating the infrastructure. The Cabinet cancelled the controversial land allotment to the Oberoi Group in Tirupati, made in 2021. Following public outcry over the project's proximity to the temple town and a formal request from the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, the government agreed to swap the APTDC land in Peruru with 25 acres of TTD land in Tirupati RS village. The decision underlines the government's commitment to protecting religious sentiments. In the energy sector, the Cabinet approved three key proposals. A ₹900-crore government guarantee would support the working capital needs of the APPDCL, which is facing liquidity issues due to payment delays from the DISCOMs. The Cabinet approved guarantees worth ₹4,574 crore for RDSS loans to APSPDCL and APCPDCL to ensure uninterrupted execution of smart metering and infrastructure upgrades. The Cabinet approved the issuance of a preliminary notification to bifurcate Y. Ramavaram mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju district into Upper Y. Ramavaram and Lower Ramavaram for better administrative efficiency. The Cabinet approved a proposal to scrap the existing media accreditation guidelines and introduce a new framework, titled 'Comprehensive A.P. Media Accreditation Rules, 2025', the Minister said.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Govt launches amnesty scheme for minor mineral leaseholders
Jaipur: The state govt Wednesday launched an amnesty scheme for minor mineral leaseholders and contractors to recover dues and waive interest liabilities. Introduced as part of the 2025 Budget announcements, the scheme will remain in effect till Dec 31, 2025, and applies to principal and interest dues pending up to March 31, 2024. The scheme extends to a wide range of categories, including minor mineral leaseholders, quarry licence holders, royalty collection contract (RCC) and excess royalty collection contract (ERCC) holders, short-term permit (STP) defaulters and contractors associated with various construction departments. Principal secretary (Mines and Geology) T Ravikant said, "For the first time, the scheme includes concessions that are effective, expired, lapsed or surrendered such as mining leases, quarry licences, brick earth permits, and temporary working permissions for sand mining. In cases where mining was carried out in violation of approved mining plans, environmental clearance conditions, or consent to operate, or where concessions were cancelled through administrative orders, any penalty imposed for illegal dispatch of minerals up to March 31, 2024 will be waived upon payment of 20% of the principal amount. " Similarly, in case of pending District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) dues, full interest will be waived if the outstanding principal is paid. Relief for broken or expired leases, quarry licences, STPs and brick kiln permits is structured across historical slabs, with the percentage of principal payable gradually increasing for more recent dues.