The long-neglected Vijayawada region seems to be finally showing signs of growth with many foreigners visiting the city for business inquiries and other tasks relating to construction of the new capital.
Of the total clients who are availing accommodation in the star hotels these days, 30 per cent are foreigners coming from the US, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and other south-east Asian countries. Before bifurcation, foreigners associated with NGOs used to visit the city, but now a majority of them are arriving to explore the business potential here, according to sources in the hospitality industry.
“Clients from Singapore, South Korea and Japan are booking rooms in our hotel,” said industrialist and Hotel Taj Gateway managing partner Malineni Rajaiah. Once the foundation stone for the capital is laid on June 6, a flurry of activity is expected and more foreigners would arrive in Vijayawada and Guntur, he said.
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Impressed with the government’s capital plans that envisages collaborations with countries like Japan and Singapore, a 60-member delegation representing over 30 companies from Japan visited Vijayawada and Thullur in March first week. The delegation led by Minister (Economic and Development), Japan, Akio Isomata, participated in a conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and conducted an aerial survey of Thullur and surrounding areas.
Prior to this, a four-member Japanese delegation visited Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) to create a base to befriend local students by thawing the language ice. Quality Hotel D.V. Manor General Manager Rajesh Berry said, “There has been an increase in clientele from foreign countries”
Hoteliers say majority of them are coming to explore business opportunities