Andhra Pradesh government will soon be announcing a more investor-friendly tourism policy by making certain changes to the 2015-20 policy announced two years ago to make execution of projects speedy and attractive for investors. Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya Reddy disclosed this at the Regional Tourism Investors and Stakeholders Meet organised by the AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation here on Saturday.
The tweaked tourism policy, she said, would address issues related to land allocation and its high cost, lease rents, incentives for smooth and speedy implementation of tourism infrastructure development projects in all the 13 districts.
The regional meetings are meant for a two-way communication -- to understand the perspective of the stakeholders on tourism policy and explain to them huge potential in beach, rural, pilgrim, medical, adventure, eco-tourism and inland waterways and island tourism . “AP has it all with a second largest coastline after Gujarat,” she said.
Theme park
She disclosed that the State Government proposes to allot 240 acre site in Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam to be developed as a resort and theme park on the lines of Genting Highlands in Malaysia. The other major projects are development of Bhavani Islands, village tourism, development of 39 beach locations, jetties near ports as tourist spots. “Action plans will be prepared for smooth passage from MoU stage to execution of projects,” she said.
In a bid to give boost to beach tourism in A.P., Ms. Akhila Priya met the Union Tourism Minister recently to take the Bill for relaxing coastal zone regulations forward. She also requested setting up headquarters of Tourism Finance Corporation for South India at Vijayawada to finance tourism projects exclusively.
The State planned 24 mega events to create buzz about AP tourism, culture, crafts within and outside the State. The Minister, who led a delegation of senior officials, also held one-to-one interactions to discuss concrete proposals on various tourism projects.
45 MoUs in two years
Earlier, Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena, said in the last two years, tourism sector entered into 45 MoUs worth ₹10,300 crore and more hand half of them were grounded. Under Ease of Doing Business, Tourism department is part of single-window system for processing proposals faster along with the Industry Department. The State is third in the country with 15 crore domestic tourist footfalls and is growing at 15%. This requires massive expansion of hotel rooms, resorts, wayside amenities and skilled personnel.
Beach-front tourism
Mr. Krishna Kishore, CEO, Economic Development Board, A.P., said the huge industrial investments flowing into the State from Japan, Singapore, U.S., would also open up tourism potential.
As home to most enchanting places like Araku Valley, Papikondalu , Konaseema, Pulicat lake, the State has immense potential. The proposed 1,000-km road along the beach would open up the beach- front tourism, he said.
