Andhra Pradesh Special Chief Secretary Ajay Jain said on Thursday that the government has decided to give industrial status to the tourism sector with an aim to make AP number one in the country in five years in the field of tourism. Addressing a press conference at Kopalle Mantena Heritage in Kalla mandal of West Godavari district on Thursday, Ajay Jain said that the Andhra Pradesh tourism department is developing a home stay system in the state and will preserve the pleasant feeling and sweet memories of the tourists. 

He said that pilot projects are being trained in Dindi and Araku areas with the participation of SERP and MEPMA women. He said the government has formulated a new policy to develop sub-divisions and informed that around 18,000 employment opportunities have already been created and 27 prominent hotels have started work.

Stating that having the third largest coastline in the country is an added attraction for the state, he said the government is working to ensure blue fog recognition for Kakinada, Suryalanka, Maipadu and Ramapuram beaches along with Rushikonda beaches. He said the government is setting up a tourism circuit connecting temple, eco, adventure, wellness and agritourism to attract more tourists. 

He said the projects are being formulated under the aegis of the State Tourism Development Corporation under public-private partnership, as part of which a floating restaurant on the Krishna river, Berm Park in Vijayawada and a single-bedroom luxury houseboats at Konaseema backwater are being arranged. Special Chief Secretary Ajay Jain said appealed to the media to give wide publicity on the tourism sector saying that it will lead to the development of the state as well as increase the employment opportunities for the youth.