AP to boost Tourism, plans Mega Projects

Hyderabad, April 25 (INN): The Andhra Pradesh Tourism department is monitoring as many as 113 projects in the State.

The Tourism Department officials informed Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu that 75 projects worth Rs 3,341 crores have been grounded and another 38 projects worth Rs 10,958 crores are in pipeline.

These details were shared by the department officials in a review meeting held with the Chief Minister today at Velagapudi.

Andhra Pradesh's domestic foot fall has increased by over 30 % in comparison to last year. The domestic arrival in 2014 was 98 million and has increased to 158.5 million till March 2017. The international arrival has picked up over the years and is now at 3.24 lakhs. The GSDP contribution was at 6.8% in 2014 and the present contribution is 7.03%. The room carrying capacity has increased from 6,742 in 2014 to 8,835 in March 2017.

The Tourism department has won three awards at various occasions this year. 'Andhra Pradesh ' Emerging tourist destination' Award was presented at the ITB (The World's Leading Travel Show) ' Berlin in March 2017.

Similarly Most Promising New Destination Award was presented at the Travel Trade Fair - Outbound Travel Mart (TTF-OTM) ' Mumbai.

And the Pilgrimage Destination of the Year & Best Decorated Stand Award was presented at the India International Travel Mart (IITM) ' Kolkata.

The officials informed the Chief Minister that they are focusing on infrastructure development and marketing and promotion for the 5 identified hubs in the State.

The department aims at attracting private sector investments worth Rs 2,200 crores for infrastructure development and has prepared a plan to add as many as 1500 rooms at 5 star hotels for the year 2017-18.

The tourism department has signed a MoU with a Spanish consultant to design and develop an Oceanarium at Visakhapatnam.

Central government projects

Out of the 11 projects sanctioned by the central government 6 have been completed. The central has sanctioned a sum of 180 crores of which 75 crores were released and 56 crores have been spent.

Development of Rayalaseema Religious and Heritage Tourist Circuit in Rayalaseema District, development of Mahayana Buddhist Circuit, development Rajamahendravaram Heritage, Eco and Nature Tourism Circuit, development of Tirupathi temple Town in the State of AP and development of Srisailam Temple Town in the State of AP are some of the proposals submitted to the central government for consideration.

Activities and events planned for 2017-18

For the year 2017-18, 24 mega-events and 76 days of activities with a budget of 65 Cr. have been finalized by the department.

Sand Marathon, The Yacht Pentagonal, Visakha Utsav, Sound Cloud, Cooking Olympiad, Araku Balloon Festival are some of the events planned for Vishakhapatnam.

Buddhism festival, though leadership, Amaravati theatre, Amaravati music and dance show in Amaravati, world spiritual week, crafts Mela, flamingo festival in Tirupati and celebrating A. R Rehman, Konaseema Sankranti, Godavari Dance and Lantern show in Rajamahendravaram are some of the events planned for this year.

The Chief Minister after reviewing the presentation said that services and hospitality provided to the tourist is the key element which determines the success of the tourism sector. He asked the officials to involve service providers to provide best services and make sure that premises and places are kept neat and clean.

The Chief Minister shared his ideas on how the department can plan activities to encourage water sports, village and agricultural tourism and food festivals in the State.

The Chief Minister said once these activities are executed he is hopeful that the tourist flow will grow by 40 to 50 % and achieve a growth rate of 15%.

Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya made a presentation on the observations made in the department and proposed changes to them. She also proposed some new projects of which ' Street Theater' is one.

Department of Telugu Language and Culture

The department of Telugu Language and Culture briefed the Chief Minister about the proposed new infrastructure projects in the State.

Pavitrasangamam Cultural Centre and Godavari Kalakshetram at Kakinada, Amaravathi Cultural Centre, district cultural centers, Kuchipudi Natyaramam are some of new projects proposed.

The government also proposes to establish 6 schools of performing and visual arts and also set up a Ghantasala Museum.

Director culture informed the Chief Minister that to protect and perpetuate Telugu Literature and different Art Forms, the Committee on Telugu Bhasha has suggested in its report to establish Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Andhra Pradesh Sangeetha Nrutya Akademi, Andhra Pradesh Nataka Ackademi, Andhra Pradesh Drusya Kalala Akademi, Andhra Pradesh Folk and Creativity Akademi, Andhra Pradesh History Akademi and Andhra Pradesh Science & Technology Akademi.

Fountain and Multimedia show at Bhavani Island

Bhavani island is a unique gift of nature and is most appropriate to be developed as a major tourist destination. In this context, the government is proposing to develop a fountain and multimedia show on the banks of Bhavani Island to act as catalyst to increase tourist footfall.

BITC envisages to set-up musical fountain with provision for water screen of suitable size for the purpose of displaying laser and high lumens projections on water Screen. All features, including water works, music, laser show will be seamlessly synchronized so as to generate mesmerizing shows for minimum 250 spectators.

The proposed fountain would be 75 m wide and 25 m tall with world class features on the lines of Bellagio fountain at Las Vegas, Burj Khalifa Lake fountain in Dubai. The laser show content would be highlighting themes relevant to Andhra Pradesh culture. BITC is planning to have the project ready by Dussehra.