Vizag to host first-ever yachting festival

It will promote Vizag as marine tourism hub, say organisers

March 27, 2018 01:02 am | Updated 08:00 am IST - VISAKHAPATNAM

Hot destination:  Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya addressing the media ahead of the Vizag Yachting Festival.

Hot destination: Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya addressing the media ahead of the Vizag Yachting Festival.

The city is set to host the first- ever Vizag Yachting Festival in the State from March 28 to 31, which will see a fleet of nine luxury yachts arrive at the coast promising an exciting line-up of events for adventure seekers. The festival is being organised by Andhra Pradesh Tourism in association with E Factor.

Elaborating about the festival, Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya told mediapersons here on Monday that the festival is aimed at putting Vizag on top of the marine tourism map.

“We have set ambitious goals to develop Andhra Pradesh as a tourism destination for every kind of tourists - be it the millennial generation traveller seeking an exciting adventure, a family of four looking for a placid beachside holiday or even the retired pensioner on a quest for some soul searching,” she said.

Buzz in social media

The Minister further added that the Vizag Yachting Festival has created a buzz in social media with over six lakh people engaging in social networking sites. During the festival, the luxury yachts will be arriving from places like Thailand, West coast, Chennai and two of them from the Mediterranean waters.

Ms Akhila Priya said two of the yachts will be permanently placed in Visakhapatnam for which talks were on with Visakhapatnam Port Trust for getting necessary permissions.

Speaking about the objective of holding such a unique festival in Visakhapatnam, Samit Garg, CEO of E Factor said: “The festival is a destination marketing event to promote Vizag as a marine tourism brand. We have sold 14 tickets for the festival and the money collected from the ticket sales will go towards the benefit of the fishermen community.”

The yachts will sail through beaches like Rushikonda, RK Beach, Totlakonda and Yarada Beach while engaging the on-board guests with activities like swimming, fishing and snorkelling.

The fleet will sail on the waters of Bay of Bengal during the day and park at The Fishing Harbour in the evening for customised galas with musical performances.

Local flavour

The participation of the native fishermen community of Vizag will add local colour and flavour to the festival. The Indian Navy and the Vizag Port Trust are providing support for the festival. The Indian Navy is also providing lead escort boats for the cruising fleet along with sail boats for display.

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