The suspension of Samaikyandhra agitation has brought smiles back on the faces of the officials of the AP Tourism Development Corporation.
In fact, frequent strikes by various organisations spearheading the agitation had put a question mark over the success of tourist season in Visakhapatnam, which begins in the first week of October and lasts till mid-January.
The initial days were marred due to cancellation of trains at regular intervals.
With an end to the agitation, the APTDC has initiated a slew of initiatives to bolster the sagging morale of the APTDC field staff and regain the normal occupancy rate in its Harita resorts located in the city as well as Araku Valley, Anantagiri and Tyda – all on the foothills of Eastern Ghats.
High spirit
“We are on a high spirit. With no fear of cancellation of bookings, we are expecting a bumper season ahead,” APTDC Special Officer and Senior Divisional Manager G. Bhima Shankar Rao told The Hindu.
The rush was such that no room boards greeted visitors at various places in the district last year.
“The end of strike will also increase our occupancy rate,” a manager of a beachside hotel said.
This time, the APTDC is expecting a significant increase in the number of tourist arrivals due to appointment of several agents in West Bengal and Odisha to woo people seeking leisure tourism. Generally, people from West Bengal and Odisha flock tourist spots here during winter season taking advantage of low-budget packages.
Tariff revision
The APTDC has not only revised its room tariff but also is offering 50 per cent discount on weekdays and 30 per cent during weekends on production of identity proof.
The corporation is now laying emphasis to have tie-up with travel operators to popularise tourist destinations here.
The existing tariffs have been slashed by almost 30 per cent on an average. For instance, at Rushikonda beach resort, the presidential suite rent has been brought down from Rs.6,000 to Rs.4,000. Suite tariff is lowered from Rs.3,800 to 2,750.
While deluxe room rent has become Rs.2,000 from Rs.2,600, standard room is available at Rs.1,700 instead of Rs.2,000.
The APTDC has also revived city sight seeing tour and road-cum-rail package to Araku valley and million-year-old Borra Caves.
At Rushikonda, a weekend package for families is introduced wherein jet skiing, fun games, Dhimsa dance and dinner are offered.
