Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh declared that “the future belongs to tourism,” emphasizing the sector’s transformative potential in driving economic growth. He was addressing a gathering hosted by the Indian High Commission in London following the conclusion of the World Travel Market (WTM) 2025.

Minister Durgesh said participating in WTM had given Andhra Pradesh a powerful global platform to showcase its tourism potential. He extended an open invitation to international investors and travel industry leaders to visit Andhra Pradesh, explore its scenic and cultural destinations, and invest in tourism and hospitality ventures. “We assure full support and a secure environment for investors,” he stated.

Highlighting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision, the minister said tourism has been granted industrial status in Andhra Pradesh under the new tourism policy. He noted that within 15 months, the state had attracted Rs. 12,000 crore in tourism investments, particularly in eco-tourism, adventure tourism, beach tourism, wellness centers, and Ayurvedic resorts. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, he said, is personally overseeing eco-tourism initiatives.

Recalling the Chief Minister’s words, he said, “Beyond communism, socialism, or capitalism, the future truly belongs to tourism.” The minister added that Andhra Pradesh offers incentives such as power subsidies and infrastructure support for tourism projects, aiming to make the state a national model and the top destination in India.

Durgesh also invited investors to attend the CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam on November 14-15, highlighting new opportunities in tourism collaboration. Concluding his London visit, the minister praised India’s unity in diversity, calling it the country’s greatest strength, and affirmed that Andhra Pradesh is taking decisive steps toward a “Viksit Bharat”.