By Sujatha Varma

Copyright thehindu

Reiterating that the government is working relentlessly to usher in transformation in the State through tourism, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that 10,000 homestay facilities would be made available at Araku, Paderu, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rayalaseema and other regions soon.

“The government is keen on implementing tourism projects in PPP model,” he said at the World Tourism Day celebrations in Vijayawada. He released the ‘Tourism Policy Operational Guidelines’ and launched ‘AP Tourism Homestay Portal’. He also inaugurated Golden Sand Resort at Bapatla in virtual mode.

Mr. Naidu said unlike in the past when tourism meant only visiting temples, tourism now drives the economies of nations. Informing that tourism generated a revenue of $2.6 trillion globally, he said India had vast opportunities in this sector.

Pointing out that the government had granted industrial status to the tourism sector, Mr. Naidu said under the ‘speed of doing business’ policy, quick approvals and attractive incentives were being offered to investors.

“Indigenous 4G net connectivity is available and investments of ₹10,600 crore have come into the State’s tourism sector,” he said.

In the next three years, he said, 50,000 hotel rooms would be developed. He spoke about the ‘Experience Centres’ proposed to be set up to showcase the culture and traditions of the State.

Wedding destinations

He said priority was being given to temple tourism and eco-tourism. The State was considering developing wedding destinations at Tirumala and Annavaram, he said Andhra Pradesh would be developed into the best tourism hub by 2027.

Referring to the growing trend of health tourism, a practice of travelling to other locations, often across the borders, to improve physical, mental, or spiritual health through medical treatments, wellness activities, or spa services, Mr. Naidu proposed developing healing centres across Andhra Pradesh.

Stating that the Andhra land was endowed with a wealth of rich heritage, he said traditional dance forms such as Kuchipudi would be showcased in a big way from the right platforms.

Stating that tourism was crucial for achieving the Swarnandhra goals, the Chief Minister said that the government was keen on increasing the current tourism growth rate from 8% to 20%.

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, A.P. Tourism Development Corporation Chairman N. Balaji and senior officials of the department were present.