Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said that the target is to increase the growth rate of the tourism sector from 8 percent to 20 percent. The World Tourism Day program was held at Tummalapalle Kalakshetra in Vijayawada on Saturday. On this occasion, the Golden Sand Resort in Bapatla was inaugurated.
Later, he said that the government is working towards making Andhra Pradesh a tourist paradise. The tourism sector has the power to strengthen the state’s economy, he said, adding that it is being given industry status and special packages and subsidies are being provided with attractive policies. He said that tourism is currently ruling the economy.
He said that by Swarnandhra-2047, the state’s economy should be at the top of the country, and the tourism sector will play a major role in this. He said that if tourists can be attracted, huge income will come. Amidst fears that technology will reduce jobs, he said that if the tourism sector is put under pressure, massive employment generation is possible, and 10 jobs can be created for an investment of Rs. 1 lakh.
CM Chandrababu said that the target is to set up 50,000 rooms in the next four years and that more than 10,000 home stays in Visakhapatnam, Araku, Konaseema and Tirupati will be used for development. He said that international tourism will be developed with spiritual programs like Kumbh Mela, tent cities in 100 temples and 40 Buddhist places.
The Chief Minister said that Visakhapatnam, Araku, Rajahmundry, Amaravati, Srisailam, Gandikota and Tirupati will be developed as anchor hubs and places like Kondapalli, Kuchipudi and Etikoppaka will be developed as heritage centers. He said that if the tourism sector is developed in Tirupati, the pilgrims who come there can stay there for three days.
He said that the Dussehra festival is being celebrated in Vijayawada as ‘Vijayawada Utsav’. He criticized the previous government for building Rishikonda with Rs. 451 crore, and if that money had been invested in tourism, lakhs of jobs would have been created.
He said that the Akhanda Godavari Project and modernization of Havelock Bridge will be undertaken to turn Rajahmundry into a tourism hub, and double-decker buses and cruises have been started in Visakhapatnam. He said that Araku Coffee has gained international recognition.