AP Eyes Global Tourism Map With ₹20,000 Crore Investment and New Projects

Andhra Pradesh is aiming to build a responsible and eco-friendly tourism sector and establish itself as a prominent destination on the global tourism map, State Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh said. Under the guidance of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and with support from the Centre, the coalition government is working to give the state’s tourism industry a major boost, he said.

Durgesh made the remarks at the curtain-raiser for the 41st national convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) at Novotel, Visakhapatnam. The three-day convention, being held from September 10 to 12 with the theme “India – The World’s Next Tourism Opportunity,” is expected to bring together more than 1,000 tour operators, tourism professionals, policymakers and industry representatives. Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is scheduled to attend the inaugural session as chief guest.

The minister said Visakhapatnam hosting the IATO convention for the first time since the formation of the new Andhra Pradesh was a significant milestone. The event will help showcase the state’s 1,000-km-plus coastline, Araku Valley, tribal culture, Buddhist heritage, spiritual centres and natural attractions to tourism stakeholders from across India and abroad.

The state has introduced incentives to encourage local tourism businesses. The government has waived the ₹10,000 plus GST one-time IATO membership admission fee for Andhra Pradesh partners until December 31, 2026. Registration for the convention has also been reduced to ₹3,000 for state delegates, compared with up to ₹8,500 for others.

Durgesh said Andhra Pradesh had attracted nearly ₹20,000 crore in tourism investments over the past two years. Under the Tourism Policy 2024–29, procedures for land allocation, homestays, caravans and bed-and-breakfast facilities have been simplified. Sixteen tourism projects worth ₹5,529 crore have been approved in Visakhapatnam, expected to add 950 rooms and generate around 10,000 direct jobs. The state aims to create 50,000 new rooms by 2029.

The government is also developing the Akhanda Godavari project with an investment of ₹94.44 crore. Plans include upgrading Pushkar Ghat, rebuilding the Havelock Bridge, developing tent cities, boating facilities and a nursery experience centre. Preparations are underway for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams, planned across six districts as a plastic-free and eco-friendly event.

New initiatives include cruise services between Visakhapatnam, Puducherry and Chennai, seaplane services, Buddhist and North Andhra temple circuits, and greater promotion of wellness tourism, yoga and Ayurveda. IATO will also conduct a carbon audit during the convention, while six post-convention tours will showcase Andhra Pradesh’s major destinations to tourism operators.