Making Andhra Pradesh a Major Tourist Destination Is Our Goal - Minister Durgesh

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said the government’s objective is to establish Andhra Pradesh as a prominent tourist destination. He was the chief guest at the state-level World Tourism Day celebrations held in Rajamahendravaram on Sunday evening. He said the coalition government had attracted investments worth Rs 20,000 crore in the tourism sector since assuming office and that 16 major hotels would soon become operational. He said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was promoting tourism by granting it industrial status, while Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was supporting the development of eco-tourism.

The minister said technology would be extensively used to promote tourism in the state. QR-code boards powered by artificial intelligence will be installed at 130 tourist locations, enabling visitors to access information about their significance by scanning the codes. The system is also being designed to address queries in nearly 120 languages, he said. The government is attracting private investment through caravan tourism, homestay and land-allotment policies. He also announced the launch of ‘Godavari Calls’ to attract devotees and tourists for next year’s Godavari Pushkarams. He thanked the Centre for sanctioning Rs 428 crore for eight tourism projects in the state.