Visakhapatnam: New tourism policy to attract more investors to State

Visakhapatnam: Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao said that the tourism industry will soon adopt a new tourism policy 2020-25 considering the views of all the stakeholders.

Addressing the officials concerned at the workshop organised by the AP Tourism Authority here on Thursday, the Minister said steps would be taken to expand and promote tourism on all fronts.

He stated that stakeholders from various parts of the country have given valuable suggestions to improve tourism sector.

As part of the tourism development, focus will be laid on coastal belt, forest area, hills, historical places, temples and river areas, Srinivasa Rao informed.

The Minister added that tourism was the second largest sector in the state in terms of generating revenue and assured the investors that approvals would be granted within 14 days.

Srinivasa Rao said there were immense opportunities for tourism in Andhra Pradesh. If the tourism gets developed, he said employment and marketing opportunities would also be improved.

He added that the State government has assured to help those who would set up projects in AP. Some companies have come forward to operate seaplanes in Prakasam Barrage and Nagarjunasagar, he stated.

Speaking about the outbreak of coronavirus, the Minister laid emphasis on not to get carried away by the misconceptions surrounding Covid and added all arrangements were in place for the diagnosis and treatment for Covid suspects.

Tourism Managing Director Praveen Kumar said the new tourism policy would be commercially viable and added there were many ancient and historic places in the state which can be developed into tourist spots.

Chairman of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Committee K Lakshminarayana, AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation, K V S Prakash Rao and P Bhaskar Rao and others have expressed their views on the state tourism policy. Stakeholders from different parts of Telangana and Maharashtra also spoke.