A ‘night city tour’ package drawn up by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department was launched here by HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Wednesday.
The half-day tour, which commences at 4.30 p.m., would take the tourists on a boat ride in the fishing harbour, and from there to the Kursura submarine museum, the only such facility in the country, Kailasagiri park, Shilparamam Jatara, and conclude the tour with a dinner at Rushikonda Resort, overlooking the sea, to the accompaniment of tribal dances such as Dhimsa.
“City goes to bed early and so the package has been drawn up to conclude by 9.30 p.m.,” the Minister explained.
“This is just the beginning and the Tourism Department is planning to take all steps to make Visakhapatnam a ‘happening city’,” he added.
A sea cruise package to the Andamans was also being worked out, the Minister, who represents Bheemunipatnam Assembly constituency, said.
The Tourism Department is working on innovative tourism packages and programmes to increase the flow of tourists to the city and the region, which has many tourist destinations such as Araku Valley, Lambasingi, ancient Buddhist monuments, beaches.
“There are plans to introduce helicopter packages and adventure and sports packages, apart from taking steps to conduct tourism festivals such as Visakha Festival on a regular basis,” he said.
The government was keen on developing tourism and culture in the city and work had already begun on a Ravindra Bharati-type cultural centre, the Minister said.
