Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister seeks world-class status for Tirupati and Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh on Tuesday urged Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to designate Tirupati and Visakhapatnam as world-class tourist destinations under the National Mission for Tourism.

At a meeting of State Tourism Ministers in Udaipur, Mr. Durgesh showcased Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential and sought greater Central assistance to position the State among India’s top travel destinations. He outlined achievements over the past 15 months and thanked the Centre for its support.

Visakhapatnam will be developed as a coastal and marine tourism hub with an oceanarium, cruise terminal, Bhogapuram International Airport, and the Bheemili–Rushikonda Corridor. Tirupati will emerge as a spiritual and cultural centre, featuring a Spiritual Civilisation Museum and Mythological Experience Park celebrating India’s heritage.

Referring to the Tourism Policy 2024–29, Mr. Durgesh said it promotes investment-driven growth under a P4 (Public–Private–People’s Partnership) model. In the last 15 months, the State attracted ₹12,000 crore in tourism investments, including 21 hotel and resort projects by brands such as Taj, ITC, Oberoi, Hilton, and Lemon Tree, creating 18,000 jobs and drawing ₹4,500 crore in direct investment.

Plans include 10,000 homestays in rural and tribal areas to boost local participation. The target is to raise tourism’s share of Gross Value Added from 4.6% to 8% by 2029, develop 50,000 hotels and create five lakh jobs.

Mr. Durgesh said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision integrates tourism projects across spiritual, coastal, eco, health, cultural, and adventure segments — from Tirumala Hills and Visakhapatnam beaches to Araku Valley, Godavari backwaters, and Amaravati’s Buddhist heritage sites.

APTDC Managing Director Amrapali Kata said focus areas under the National Mission include connectivity, infrastructure, signage, sanitation, electric transport, and digital visitor systems, adding that the State is ready with land parcels, investment proposals, skilled manpower, and a strong governance framework to accelerate growth.