Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a bold move to elevate Andhra Pradesh’s profile on India’s tourism map, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has announced plans to develop three luxury tent cities in Araku, Gandikota, and Suryalanka. With an investment exceeding Rs.50 crore, these tent cities aim to tap into the fast-growing tourist base from metropolitan hubs like Bengaluru, offering scenic weekend escapes with upscale facilities.

Speaking to Metro India, APTDC official K. Chandrasekhar, emphasized the government’s renewed focus on “destination-driven infrastructure.” “We’re no longer just building facilities. We are crafting experiences. Gandikota, the ‘Grand Canyon of India,’ has immense potential to become a premium getaway, especially for road-trippers from cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad,” an APTDC spokesperson said.

Among the three projects, Gandikota stands out for its adventure and heritage appeal. A tent city spread across 10 acres will be developed here under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, offering 60 fully furnished rooms with luxury amenities akin to star-rated hotels. This comes on the heels of a Rs.78 crore development package sanctioned under the Sasky scheme, aimed at enhancing access roads, lighting, and tourism services around the fort and canyon area.

Tourism planners are banking on Gandikota’s proximity to Bengaluru — just a six-hour drive — to attract high-value tourists looking for experiential stays. “The idea is to give urban travellers a unique combination of nature, history, and comfort — all in one place,” said the official.

In Araku, a 10-acre tent city with 50 rooms will be built directly by APTDC at a projected cost of Rs.18 crore. With existing accommodation options in Araku reaching saturation during peak seasons, this project is expected to ease demand while preserving the ecological charm of the region.

Similarly, Suryalanka Beach in Bapatla district, a popular coastal retreat especially among visitors from Guntur and Vijayawada, will soon host a 50-room tent city via PPP. This is a strategic response to the ongoing shortage of quality accommodations in the area.

The tent city initiative is part of a larger vision laid out by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who in a review meeting directed that the state must scale up its hotel room capacity from 11,700 to 50,000 by 2028.“Tourists should not feel compelled to leave the same day. If they stay longer — two to three days — only then can we say tourism is truly flourishing,” the Chief Minister had remarked.

This ambitious target is backed by renewed investor confidence. Following the formation of the new coalition government, private firms have pledged Rs.12,565 crore in tourism-related investments, expected to generate 8,073 new rooms across hotels and resorts. Major urban centres like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati are witnessing heightened interest from hospitality developers.

APTDC is drawing inspiration from successful models in Kevadia (Gujarat) and Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), where tent cities have proven instrumental in managing large volumes of tourists. The tent cities near the Statue of Unity and during the Ram Mandir inauguration provided luxury stays in remote locations, winning praise for both comfort and logistical efficiency.

In parallel, the state is also promoting the ‘homestay model’ to expand grassroots tourism. Over 1,800 old village houses have been identified for renovation, aimed at offering tourists an authentic home-like experience in rural settings. With a combination of mega projects like tent cities and community-based models like homestays, Andhra Pradesh is laying down the blueprint for a diverse and inclusive tourism economy.