Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday asked officials of the Tourism Department to identify tourism circuits and develop world class infrastructure to attract both domestic and international tourists.
Addressing a review meeting with the State Tourism Promotion Board offiials at the Secretariat, Mr. Naidu said the State had abundant natural resources which could be utilised by encouraging people’s participation. He called upon the officials to chalk out action plans and take up development of projects in a fast track mode.
Secretary, Tourism, Mukesh Kumar Meena, informed Mr. Naidu that the State had recorded 168 million footfalls in the domestic sector against 2,50,000 international visitors during 2017-18.
Speaking about tourism projects, he said 23 five-star hotels would be ready by 2020, while tender process was on for an additional 10 five-star hotels. Mr. Naidu suggested creation of a separate division for development of hotels and initiatives to increase the number of hotel rooms.
Submarine heritage museum
Responding to designs presented by three agencies for development of submarine heritage museum in Visakhapatnam Beach Road, Mr. Naidu asked the officials to organise public debate on the designs and then finalise them.
Making his point that the proposed museum should be developed to international standards, he asked the Navy officials present at the meeting to give people an opportunity to comprehend the role of Navy in protecting the country.
Mr. Naidu expressed his keenness for temple tourism and asked the officials to link tourism projects with temple tourism. He talked about about the vast scope for development of water sports.
Hospitality, he said, was key to attract tourists, and suggested that Kuchipudi artists be made ambassadors of the State according traditional welcome to people visiting the State.
Adventure sports
Reacting to the information by representatives of Sky School that scuba driving was being promoted near Visakhapatnam, Mr. Naidu asked the officials to promote it at other places also along with para gliding and para-motor gliding facilities. He wanted them to study the feasibility of introducing para motor-gliding from Visakhapatnam to Araku Valley.
Minister for Tourism Akhila Priya, Secretary to Chief Minister Girija Shankar, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Karikala Velavan, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Director Himanshu Shukla, Vice-chairman, VUDA, P Basant Kumar and others were present.