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The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation is investing Rs 300 crore to implement nine hotel projects and development of new facilities including three eco-tourism sites.
The State-owned corporation has registered revenues of Rs 140 crore during 2011-12, up from Rs 115 crore in 2010-11, Mr Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of APTDC, said.
Interacting with Business Line , Mr Sandeep Sultania said the State attracted over 15.5 crore tourists last year, which is 21 per cent of the country's total tourist traffic. This number is significant in the backdrop of Telangana agitation, which could have diverted some potential visitors to the State.
Rural tourism sites
“We have taken up several sites at Kuchipudi, Pembarthi and Srikalahasti as rural tourism sites. These are getting popular. The corporation has bagged a national award for one such site,” he said. From a modest turnover of Rs 9 crore in 1999-2000, the revenues have steadily grown as new infrastructure was created. The corporation now has 57 hotels under its fold with 1,300 rooms. This will go up by 300 rooms once nine new projects are commissioned. The corporation is seeking to develop several sites close to reservoirs as tourist spots. There is latent demand for good facilities and the corporation is seeking to bridge that gap. The tour services offered by tourism corporation buses have helped clock revenues of about Rs 30 crore, he said.
It is proposed to develop Star hotels at Tirupati and other locations through private sector participation.
Kakatiya fete
The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department is gearing up to host the year-long Kakatiya festival being organised to commemorate 800 years of famous Ramappa temple in Warangal.
A meeting of the steering committee headed by the State Tourism Minister, Mr Vatti Vasantha Kumar, and ministers Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Mr B. Saraiah, was held on Tuesday to review the progress of infrastructure works being taken up to host the festival from November 2012 to November 2013.
The Government is working towards seeking the status of world heritage site for the 1000-pillar Ramappa temple. The Government has thus far taken up development of infrastructure and strengthen the old famous Ramappa temple and Warangal fort. About Rs 38 crore is being spent on improving the infrastructure.
According to a statement, the Government will be spending Rs 5 crore towards sound and light show at the fort. The year-long festival will make Warangal an attractive tourist destination showcasing art, culture and heritage sites.
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