The government is committed to promoting tourism and showcasing the tourist potential of Andhra Pradesh to the outside world, Minister of State for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao has said.
He was speaking after giving away the India Travel Awards-South 2015 to achievers from the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries here on Thursday evening.
The Minister said that India in general and south India in particular offer vast scope for promotion of tourism.
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“Art and architecture of the North and traditional dances and temples of the South have immense scope for tourism,” he said.
Referring to the large number of Buddhist heritage sites in the region, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that these sites would be showcased to attract both domestic and international tourists.
There were plans to set up a Disney World in the city and ropeways at Araku and Paderu in the district.
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Principal Secretary (Tourism) Neerabh K. Prasad said that Andhra Pradesh had the largest coastline in India after Gujarat, which could draw tourists. The backwaters of Konaseema, the Eastern Ghats, hills, jungles, waterfalls, Buddhist sites and temples such as Tirumala offer a lot of scope for tourism, he added.
Amaravathi, which was chosen as the capital of the new State, was a Buddhist place of historical significance.
India Travel Awards mentor Sanjeet said that the awards were presented in 86 categories and the nominations were received online from all states, as also from various parts of the globe.
Ms. Sindhura, a final year MBBS student from the city, who had won the Ms. Vizag crown, was the cynosure of all eyes at the awards function.
Singer Dilruba regaled the guests with her peppy numbers from Hindi films and a few English tunes. The songs were interspersed with jokes. The function went on till late in the night.
Award-winners
Some of the award-winners were:
DDP Trailblazer: Vallurpalli Prabhu Kishore, chairman of Varun Group and owner of Novotel Varun Beach.
DDP Game Changer: G. V. Sanjay Reddy, vice-chairman, GVK Group and Managing Director, Bangalore International Airport Limited.
Best Airline Professional: Mittu Chandilya, CEO, AirAsia India.
Best Meetings & Conference Hotel: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach.
Best State Tourism Board: Andhra Pradesh Tourism.
Best Tourist Attraction: Ramoji Film City (Usha Kiron Movies Ltd.).
Best Green Meetings & Conference Venue: Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre.
There are plans to set up Disney World in the city and ropeways at Araku and Paderu in the district,
says Minister