`A slice of paradise’: CM Naidu unveils roadmap to transform Andhra into tourism hub

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform the state into a major tourism hub.

The government is focusing on eco-tourism, spiritual circuits, and culinary heritage to increase the footfall.

Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister proposed to form a committee led by the Chief Secretary to drive coordinated development and fast-track key projects.

Emphasising long-term planning, he set a target of creating 50,000 rooms by 2029 to accommodate the rising number of visitors.

Infrastructure push: Rooms, homestays, and caravan tourism

To strengthen accommodation capacity, Naidu directed officials to promote 10,000 homestays across major tourist destinations, along with introducing a structured rating system to ensure quality standards.

He also stressed the development of caravan parks at 10–15 locations and the rollout of tent cities and caravan tourism units, with a target of 1,000 units ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu. These initiatives aim to offer safe and comfortable nature-based travel experiences for families.

Focus on beaches, eco-tourism, and key destinations

The state government plans large-scale development of the coastline from Baruva to Nellore, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a premier beach tourism destination.

Eco-tourism circuits in Araku Valley, Maredumilli, and Chintapalli will be strengthened, while major attractions such as Gandikota, Suryalanka Beach, and Borra Caves will be fast-tracked for development.

Naidu also set deadlines for key projects, directing officials to:

Complete Godavari Pushkar Ghat works by August

Finish Havelock Bridge restoration by December to enable tourist access

Aviation, cruise tourism, and connectivity

To enhance accessibility, the government will promote:

Seaplane services under the UDAN scheme

Water aerodromes in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Srisailam, Gandikota, and Kambham Cheruvu

Cruise tourism from Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam Port

These initiatives are expected to diversify travel options and attract high-value tourists.

Amusement parks and creative economy

Plans are underway to set up amusement parks in Tirupati and Visakhapatnam, while Amaravati is envisioned as a “Creative City” to promote content creation and cultural industries.

Naidu noted that actor Sanjay Dutt has expressed interest in investing in creative tourism projects in the state.

Tourism growth momentum

Officials informed the Chief Minister that Andhra Pradesh recorded 309.2 million tourist visits last year, with a 21% growth in the first nine months of the current year.

The government aims to sustain and accelerate this momentum through integrated tourism planning, including temple tourism circuits.

Culinary tourism gets a boost with MoU

In a parallel development, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Culinary Institute to position the state as a culinary tourism hub.

The collaboration will:

Promote Telugu cuisine at national and global levels

Organise food festivals and tourism events

Offer skill development programmes in the culinary sector

Create employment opportunities for youth

Officials said the initiative will integrate food culture with travel experiences, enhancing Andhra Pradesh’s appeal to both domestic and international tourists.

Integrated vision for tourism growth

With a multi-pronged strategy spanning infrastructure, connectivity, culture, and cuisine, the Andhra Pradesh government is aiming to build a robust tourism ecosystem that boosts economic growth, generates employment, and positions the state as a leading travel destination in India, the Chief Minister said.