Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh is rolling out an ambitious tourism push, attracting Rs. 10,644 crore in investments and signing MoUs with 103 companies in just 15 months, Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh told the Legislative Council on Wednesday.

Durgesh said the coalition government under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has given industry status to tourism for the first time, unlocking incentives and boosting investor confidence. The 2024–29 Tourism Policy includes land allotment reforms, caravan tourism, and a new home-stay policy to attract both domestic and foreign tourists.

The Minister announced plans to set up tent cities at 100 pilgrimage centres, enabling devotees to extend their stays and explore nearby sites. Two hop-on hop-off double-decker buses have also been introduced in Visakhapatnam, covering 11 destinations for just Rs. 250.

With central support, projects worth Rs. 441 crore are underway at Gandikota, Akhand Godavari, Suryalanka Beach, Simhachalam, Ahobilam, and Nagarjuna Sagar. The government has set a target of creating 50,000 hotel rooms in four years, Durgesh said, adding that tourism will “bring joy to visitors and jobs to youth.”

Launching a sharp attack on the YSRCP, he said the previous government built only two projects in five years Rs. 2 crore at Pandrangi village and a Rs. 451 crore palace at Rushikonda while handing over 50 APTDC assets to private parties. “The past regime built palaces; we are building opportunities,” Durgesh said.