AP tourism faces summer slump as footfall drops

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The tourism sector in Andhra Pradesh is witnessing a noticeable slowdown this summer, with several popular destinations recording a sharp dip in visitor footfall compared to previous years. From the beaches of Visakhapatnam to the hill station of Lambasingi and temple tourism circuits across the state, hotel operators, travel agencies and local vendors say the tourist rush has remained far below expectations.

Industry stakeholders attribute the decline to multiple factors including extreme summer temperatures, rising travel costs, lack of aggressive promotion and delays in launching key tourism projects promised by the government. Among the most talked-about setbacks is the much-publicised seaplane tourism service, which was projected as a game-changing initiative for the state’s tourism sector but has now seemingly disappeared without operating even for a single day.

The seaplane project, which was announced with much fanfare as part of efforts to boost premium tourism connectivity between destinations such as Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and scenic coastal stretches, generated considerable excitement among tourism enthusiasts and investors alike. Officials had earlier indicated that the service would attract high-end domestic and international tourists while creating a unique tourism brand for Andhra Pradesh. However, despite announcements, reviews and infrastructure discussions, the service has not taken off, leaving many in the tourism industry disappointed.

Tour operators say the uncertainty surrounding flagship tourism projects has affected confidence within the sector. “There were big expectations after the seaplane announcements. But tourists are asking what actually happened to the project. So far, nothing has materialised,” said Venkat, a travel operator in Vijayawada.

Hotel occupancy in several tourist destinations reportedly remained moderate even during weekends and holidays this season. Small businesses dependent on tourism, including street vendors, guides, transport operators and local handicraft sellers are also feeling the impact.

Tourism experts believe Andhra Pradesh still possesses enormous untapped potential with its long coastline, Buddhist heritage sites, temple circuits, eco-tourism destinations and emerging urban centres. However, they argue that consistent policy execution, better branding, improved infrastructure and timely implementation of announced projects are critical for sustaining tourist interest.

Stakeholders are now urging the state government to revive stalled tourism initiatives, launch targeted summer campaigns and improve connectivity to key destinations before the upcoming festive and winter travel seasons. Without strong intervention, industry representatives fear the slowdown could further affect employment and revenue generation in the tourism-dependent economy.