Andhra Pradesh Tourism is seeking to encourage development of tourism infrastructure under public-private partnership mode.
The State Government expects to see investment of about Rs 1,000 crore through various projects to be taken up under the PPP mode.
The State Government initiatives in the tourism sector infrastructure are supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, which has already sanctioned Rs 221 crore. This apart, the State also expects investment to the tune of Rs 58 crore for new projects.
The new projects include coastal corridors along the Vizag-Bheemunipatnam sea front and Vizag-Vizianagaram-Srikakulam Regional circuit with an outlay of Rs 175 crore investment, and eight new beach properties in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, West Godavari, Prakasam and Nellore districts. Chandana Khan, Special Chief Secretary to the Andhra Pradesh Government (Tourism & Archaeology), and CMD, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, said, “Today, the State has much more to offer. We are sure that the new tourism infrastructure will delight the new-generation visitors. We are keen to promote Andhra Pradesh as the most desirable round-the-year tourist destination in India.”
The State Government is focusing on the development of new and unexplored destinations, and seeks to attract tourists from the already popular destinations such as the temple town of Tirupati and Hyderabad. Besides upgrading infrastructure, the corporation is also promoting awareness about its attractive tourist locations by marketing and promotional activities within the State and at the national level.
Marketing
A sum of around Rs 40 crore is likely to be spent on marketing.
Dindi, Horsley Hills, Bhavani Island, Suryalanka, Vikarabad, Nagarjunasagar and Bhadrachalam have been chosen as special destinations.
The corporation plans to offer promotional packages that are woven around themes such as culture, art, cuisine, textiles, dance, rural, water sports and more.
rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in