Tourism promotion in North Andhra in general and Visakhapatnam in particular will get a big boost with the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) constructing new resorts and planning an eco-tourism project at Lambasingi in the Agency area of the district at a cost of over Rs.20 crore.
Lambasingi, which experiences minus temperature during winter and attracted several foreign tourists last year, will have a hill resort in an area of five acres. The land has already been identified and the project is estimated to cost Rs.3.5 crore. Announcing renovation of existing rooms and cottages at Harita resorts and Yatri Nivas in the city at Appughar and Rushikonda, Araku Valley, Anantagiri, and Jungle Bell at Tyda, Special Officer and Divisional Manager G. Bhima Shankara Rao said on Saturday that they were expecting 20 per cent increase in revenue.
He said they had renovated 275 out of 300 rooms at various locations in addition to introducing new facilities like jet skiing and weekend safari for families to enjoy boating, Dhimsa dance, and dinner at Rushikonda. The package will cost Rs.600 per adult and Rs.450 per child.
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As boating is turning popular, two more jet skis and one speed boat will be introduced at Bhimunipatnam shortly. At present, two jet skis and four speedboats are deployed at Rushikonda.
Among the new properties, the soft launch of a beach resort built at Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam with four rooms and a restaurant built at a cost of Rs.1 crore and another at the Buddhist site of Shaligundam with two rooms and a restaurant, developed by spending Rs.94 lakh is planned on September 18. Special Chief Secretary Chandana Khan would launch the twin projects, Mr. Rao told reporters.
A budget hotel will be ready at Arasavilli with 25 AC rooms.
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The project costing Rs.5 crore will be ready in December. A resort with four rooms is being built at a cost of Rs.94 lakh at Chintapalle near Bhogapuram. A 20-room resort is proposed in 3.5 acres near the coffee plantations at Paderu at a cost of Rs.5 crore.