CM Calls for Year-Round Events to Revitalise Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism Sector.

**CM Calls for Year-Round Events to Revitalise Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism Sector**

**8 Mega Events, 11 National Fairs, 10 International Fairs**

**Over 500 Homestays Across Tribal, Rural, and Urban Areas**

**150 Araku Coffee Stalls to Be Set Up Soon**

**Promotion of Natural Farming and Organic Food**

**Targeting 20% Growth in the Tourism Sector**

**CM Chandrababu Naidu Reviews Tourism Development**

**Orders Creation of a ‘Festival Calendar’**

Amaravati, May 5,2025 (prajaamaravati):

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to organise engaging, year-round events to ensure the sustained growth of the tourism sector and attract more visitors to Andhra Pradesh. He also ordered the creation of a comprehensive ‘Tourism Festival Calendar’. During a review meeting with tourism officials at the Secretariat on Monday, the CM emphasized the need for region-specific events based on the unique appeal of each tourist destination.

He stated that Andhra Pradesh has immense potential in tourism and set a goal of achieving at least 20% growth. The CM urged the design of tourism-friendly projects through consultancy support, noting that reputed companies across the country would be drawn to invest in such initiatives. He also suggested exploring the feasibility of night safaris, similar to Singapore.

**Identify and Develop Beautiful Coastlines:**

The CM instructed officials to identify the state's most picturesque coastlines and take focused steps for their development. Despite being a leader in aquaculture, he pointed out that the state lacks projects reflecting this status and proposed setting up dolphin shows. He emphasized efforts to get Gandikota recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He also called for expediting works under the PRASAD scheme at Simhachalam and Annavaram. Plans were laid out for establishing 150 Araku coffee stalls modeled on experience centers across the state. He directed the formulation of development plans for all islands in the state, including Bhavani Island and Hope Island.

**50 Experience Centers:**

Officials briefed the CM about plans to set up experience centers in 14 locations including Kondapalli, Kuchipudi, Kadiyam, Mangalagiri, Chirala, Bapatla, and Araku. The CM asked that this number be expanded to 50 locations and suggested integrating themes like natural farming along with other local specialties. He also called for the promotion of temple tourism at 20 major temples across the state and health tourism in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati. He stressed the importance of offering guests organic food and educating them about natural farming. Highlighting the future relevance of creative economies post-quantum computing, he proposed developing Amaravati as a “Creative City Hub.”

**Tent Cities and Sea-River Cruises:**

Officials informed the CM about the establishment of "Tent Cities" comprising 180 tents in 6 locations, including Araku and Gandikota, as well as the launch of sea and river cruise services. Houseboats will soon be available for tourists at Berm Park in Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, and Suryalanka. With an investment of ₹76 crore, 15 hotels and resorts have already been upgraded, with another 15 set for development. To attract tourists, the state is organizing 8 mega events, 11 national fairs, and 10 international fairs. Officials identified 10 suitable sites for new ropeways and revealed that 69 hotel and resort projects—offering a combined capacity of 8,073 rooms—are being planned with private investments amounting to ₹12,565 crore.

**Homestay Policy Coming Soon:**

To create local livelihoods, preserve culture, and ensure sustainable tourism, officials informed the CM that over 500 homestays have been identified across tribal, heritage, rural, and urban regions. Homestays are being established in tribal areas like Vanthimuru, Magada, Kuuridi, and Tajangi in Araku. Priority has also been given to heritage areas in Konaseema and popular tourist cities like Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada. Over 600 existing homestays in Tirupati are being upgraded with the support of partners like Airbnb, YatraDham, Homestays of India, and MakeMyTrip. The CM directed officials to formulate a dedicated “Homestay Policy” for this initiative.