Andhra Pradesh’s Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography, Kandula Durgesh, announced the state’s ambitious plan to transform its tourism sector with a comprehensive policy for 2025-2030. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Tourism and Travel Summit in Visakhapatnam last Friday, Durgesh highlighted that the new policy aims to grant ‘industry status’ to tourism, aligning it with global standards and significantly boosting its economic contribution across the state.
The policy, set to take effect in April 2025, is designed to attract international tourists and provide substantial benefits to stakeholders, from local communities to investors. Durgesh emphasized that Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential rivals that of other prominent destinations, like Kerala, with its 974-km coastline, pristine beaches, abundant rivers, rich wildlife, historical sites, and ancient temples.
“Our vision for Andhra Pradesh includes the development of temple, eco, adventure, wellness, and agri-tourism circuits, unlocking the state’s full potential,” Durgesh said at the summit.
The policy builds on Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s recent declaration during the International Tourism Day celebrations on September 27, where tourism was officially granted industry status. This strategic move aims to provide incentives and concessions for tourism projects, with the state government targeting 20% of total state employment through the tourism sector. The policy also seeks to enhance infrastructure around the state’s iconic pilgrimage and eco-tourism sites to encourage longer stays and increase tourist footfall.
In particular, Durgesh outlined plans for major projects such as jungle safaris, ropeways, and waterfront developments to enhance visitor experiences. Key pilgrimage destinations will also see expansions to accommodate more tourists and support local economies.
Film tourism is another key focus, with Andhra Pradesh positioning itself as an attractive destination for filmmakers. Durgesh announced that a single-window system for filming permits will be introduced in Visakhapatnam, or Vizag, simplifying the process for both Indian and international film crews to shoot in the region’s picturesque locations.
