From Borra Caves to Lambasingi, Vizag records 1.7 cr tourists in 2021

Visakhapatnam: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 1.7 crore tourists, including 35,890 foreigners, visited Visakhapatnam and its surroundings during the last year. In 2021, Vizag received the highest footfall with 28.5 lakh domestic and 5,191foreign tourists. February also saw 28 lakh domestic and 3,600 foreign visitors, according to AP tourism department statistics.

Soon after the first wave of COVID-19, there was a lull but the flow picked up from 2020 December-end and continued till the end of April. After the second wave of the pandemic hit the city, there were no visitors in May, tourism officer Ashok said. The flow picked up in June and continued till the end of the year, he added.

"The season started in September last year and continued till 20 January. The flow slowed down after Sankranti due to the third wave,'' Mr. Ashok said.

Major footfall was witnessed at Lambasingi, Borra Caves, Araku Valley in the agency area and Rushikonda, Kailasagiri, RK Beach, Bhimili, Thotlakonda and Simhachalam temple.

Before the pandemic, the tourist footfall in Visakhapatnam was 2.5 crore in 2019. Expectations are high this year as two major tourism projects are expected to be completed. The floating restaurant coming up on the abandoned Bangladesh vessel which ran aground at Tenneti Park and the Sea Harrier are expected to bring more visitors to the area.

A senior official said four cottages have been completed at Lambasingi and another 11 cottages and a restaurant are being readied and will open by September.

"Even private entrepreneurs are showing an interest in creating accommodation in the agency areas. During last Christmas and new year, 5,000 tents were rented by tourists. This year there will be more,'' said a tour operator.

Major tourism projects have been lined up, including the giant wheel, aquarium, snow park and the sky tower which is expected to attract tourists round the year to Visakhapatnam.