Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh announced that the State has attracted investments worth nearly INR 12,000 crore in the tourism sector over the past year, paving the way for the construction and upgrading of multiple tourist facilities. Speaking at the inauguration of the modernised Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) Haritha Hotel, popularly known as Yatrinivas, at Appughar, he outlined the government’s vision to create a vibrant tourism sector with improved infrastructure and higher visitor inflows.
The newly renovated Yatrinivas has undergone a complete facelift, with an investment of INR 13.5 crore. The property now offers 41 state-of-the-art rooms, including air-conditioned suites, deluxe and executive rooms, along with a bar, restaurant, and a meeting hall. Durgesh stressed that such projects are part of a wider plan to upgrade hotels and resorts across the State, aligning with the expectations of both domestic and international tourists.
After inaugurating the property, the Minister inspected the new facilities and expressed confidence that the improvements would enhance the overall tourist experience. He also visited Tyda and Jungle Bells Resorts in Ananthagiri mandal, Alluri Sitharama Raju district, observing that these destinations had been neglected under the previous administration. Durgesh said that the tourism and forest departments are now working together to revitalise these locations and restore their charm.
Highlighting the role of the Union government, the Minister pointed out that significant support is being extended for tourism development in Andhra Pradesh. Pilgrimage destinations such as Annavaram and Simhachalam are being upgraded with better facilities for devotees, while scenic tribal destinations like Lambasingi and Vanjangi are being developed under Central schemes to attract more tourists and stimulate local economies.
Durgesh did not shy away from criticising the previous government, accusing it of failing to capitalise on Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential, which he said led to missed opportunities for growth and job creation. In contrast, he emphasised that the present coalition government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, is committed to revitalising the tourism industry and generating employment for the youth.
Earlier in the day, Durgesh inaugurated a Tourism CRW Counter at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, enabling visitors to book tickets for hop-on-hop-off double-decker buses operating between RK Beach and Totlakonda. Expressing optimism, he said that with modernised infrastructure, enhanced accessibility, and coordinated promotional initiatives, Andhra Pradesh is on track to position itself as one of India’s leading tourism destinations.
