Andhra Pradesh Tourism Records 21% Surge in Footfall, CM Naidu Unveils Ambitious Development Plan
Vijayawada: Tourist arrivals in Andhra Pradesh have experienced a significant 21% increase this year compared to the previous year's figure of 31 crore visitors. In response to this growth, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced the formation of a dedicated tourism board or committee to spearhead development efforts across the state's tourist destinations.
New Tourism Board to Enhance Inter-Departmental Coordination
During a review meeting with tourism department officials on Wednesday, CM Naidu emphasized the need for a tourism board chaired by the chief secretary. This committee aims to strengthen coordination among various departments, including tourism, forests, endowments, police, and marine, to ensure seamless execution of tourism projects.
The chief minister highlighted that the board will play a crucial role in streamlining efforts and accelerating the implementation of key initiatives.
Ambitious Targets for Accommodation Infrastructure
To accommodate the rising tourist influx, Naidu has set ambitious targets for the state's hospitality sector. Officials have been directed to fast-track the availability of hotel rooms and homestays, with a goal of reaching 50,000 hotel rooms by 2029. Additionally, the plan includes making more than 10,000 homestays operational across various tourist destinations.
"The steady increase in tourist footfall necessitates rapid expansion of our accommodation infrastructure," Naidu stated during the meeting.
Focus on Attracting Investments and Grounding Projects
The chief minister instructed officials to ensure the early grounding of tourism projects approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB). He stressed the importance of attracting national and international hotel brands to major tourist locations and cities to enhance the quality of services and boost the state's appeal.
- Develop homestays in Rajamahendravaram and other locations ahead of the Godavari Pushkarams
- Introduce a rating system for homestay operations to maintain standards
- Establish caravan parks at 10 to 15 locations, including Araku, Chintapalli, and Maredumilli
Expanding Tourism Experiences and Infrastructure
Naidu's vision extends beyond traditional accommodations, with plans for caravan parks equipped with basic infrastructure to allow families to safely park and access nature-based experiences. Similar facilities are proposed near experience centers across the state.
Other key directives include:
- Prepare an action plan for amusement parks in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam
- Promote eco and temple tourism through coordinated projects involving forest and endowments departments
- Complete projects under Prasad and Swadesh Darshan schemes by May
Integrated Development and Beautification Initiatives
The chief minister called for further integration of temple tourism by linking major shrines and directed the preparation of a specific plan for the development of Suryalanka beach. Beautification projects include tanks in Tirupati, canals in the Amaravati region, and select urban spaces across the state.
Officials revealed that proposals seeking ₹663 crore have been submitted to the central government to support these tourism development initiatives.
This comprehensive approach aims to position Andhra Pradesh as a premier tourist destination while capitalizing on the current growth momentum in visitor numbers.
