‘Land bank’ sought for developing new hotels

Hoteliers in Andhra Pradesh want Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to create a separate land bank for development of new hotels.

Hotel infrastructure is an essential component of hospitality sector. When Mr. Naidu talks about creating world-class infrastructure to lure investors from across the globe, he cannot afford to isolate the hotel industry, feel hoteliers.

As a cascading impact of the division, Andhra Pradesh Hotels’ Association, a State-level body, has split and a new Association for Andhra Pradesh will be in place by July-end. Willing to play active role in building of a new capital, hoteliers promise to mobilise huge investments by big players from outside.

Ever since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was announced, a good number of players from bigger cities are eager to make investments in the hospitality sector. They are all waiting for the Chief Minister to spell out a favourable policy.

Connectivity

“Once the new Association is in place, we want to start interacting with the Government on key issues. We want to volunteer in building of the new capital by bringing in new investors. Vijayawada city does not have a proper place to hold a meeting. A good convention centre is the need of the hour. Such infrastructure is possible only through private participation. Besides a good airport for connectivity, there is a dire need of good hotels. Special incentives and earmarking of land banks exclusively for hotels will go a long way to attract investors,” says K. Pattabhi Ram, Vice-President of Andhra Pradesh Hotels’ Association.

The hoteliers are happy that the Chief Minister has identified tourism as a growth engine calling it ‘a major revenue generating sector for the new State’. “But for tourism to flourish, good hotel infrastructure is needed,” he emphasises.

Calling for immediate steps to do away with the existing ‘outdated’ tourism policy, he said a fresh, robust policy should be put in place to provide the much-needed impetus to the sector.

Mr. Pattabhi Ram, who is also the president of Vijayawada Hotel Owners’ Association, wants an apex committee such as Tourism Promotion Council to be put in place to ensure steady progress of the sector on all fronts.

INFOBOX

Hospitality sector needs:

World-class infrastructure to lure tourists and business

Investors who want to put money in hotel sector

CM to spell out a favourable policy

An apex body such as Tourism Promotion Council

A new hotels’ association for A.P.

Quote

Vijayawada does not have a proper place to hold a meeting. A good convention centre is the need of the hour. Such infrastructure is possible only through private participation

K. Pattabhi Ram

vice-president

Andhra Pradesh Hotels’ Association