Visakhapatnam: Despite cyclone Hudhud devastating the green cover and scenic beauty at tourist places in Vizag city October, last year, the inflow of domestic and foreign tourists has been increasing steadily and the tourism department officials say Vizag is still the preferred tourism destination in Andhra Pradesh.
According to the latest reports from the tourism department, the flow of tourist has increased by about 18 per cent. In 2013, the total number of domestic tourists visiting Vizag was 67,00,675 and in 2014, it was 67,82,784. This year, the number has touched 80,89,857 (from January to October, 2015). With regard to foreign tourists, in 2013, about 57,476 visited the port city, in 2014, about 54,272 came to Vizag and this year, the number has crossed 56,500, till now.
Sources from various departments say cyclone Hudhud has disappointed many tourists, who planned to visit Vizag last year and many of the tourists even cancelled their trip. This year, tourists, who had cancelled their trips due to the cyclone, are visiting various tourist spots.
District tourism information officer A. Siri attributed the rising number of tourists to national sporting events, international conferences and meetings being held in the city. "The cool climate in Vizag Agency draws tourists to Lambasingi, Dallapalle and other areas."
Sources said that USA, UK, Netherlands, Malaysia, Canada and Australia were the tourism generating markets for Vizag and surrounding areas. A majority of the foreign national come to Vizag for holidaying or on business/official tours, they added.
With regard to domestic tourists, a large number of people from West Bengal, Odisha, Chha-ttisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab visit the city.
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