CM Woos Hospitality Investments At Davos WEF Meet

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday held discussions with Tamara Leisure Experiences CEO, Srishti Shibulal, on investment opportunities in the state’s fast-expanding hospitality and tourism sectors.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

Declaring that AP has been “unlocked” for tourism investments, Naidu pitched the state as a prime destination for hospitality and tourism projects. He cited the sweeping policy support, robust connectivity and vast untapped potential across regions.

The chief minister held talks with several global investors on the third day of the WEF meet.

Naidu said the government has accorded industry status to tourism projects to accelerate investments and ease approvals. He said tourism has the potential to transform both the national and state economy by generating large-scale employment, particularly for local communities.

Showcasing AP’s natural beauty and diverse destinations, the CM said there was immense scope to develop world-class tourism hubs along the Godavari river belt from Polavaram to Bhadrachalam. He also highlighted opportunities in iconic locations such as Konaseema, Gandikota, Araku Valley and Lambasingi.

Emphasising infrastructure readiness, Naidu noted that all major tourist destinations were now well connected by roads and airports, making Andhra Pradesh investor-ready. From North Andhra to Rayalaseema, he said, every district boasts unique tourism assets, and the government is extending focused incentives to the hotel and hospitality sector.

He assured full support to investors coming forward with concrete proposals. Minister TG Bharat was also present.

Tamara Leisure representatives expressed keen interest in setting up eco-tourism parks in tribal regions and launching homestay projects in Visakhapatnam and other locations. They also conveyed their willingness to train tribal youth under a “community-first” approach, focusing on skill development and sustainable livelihoods.

Separately, at the WEF, the founders of Calibo AI Academy, led by executive chairman Raj Vattikuti, met the chief minister. The company’s CEO, Scott Sandschafer, was also present.

The Calibo team informed Naidu that, in partnership with the Vattikuti Foundation, the academy has already begun AI skill training for youth at a private university in Amaravati. Welcoming the initiative, the CM proposed expanding such programmes through partnerships with other universities across the state.

The Chief Minister invited Calibo AI to establish a Centre of Excellence at the IT SEZ in Visakhapatnam, particularly in the Madhurawada area, to strengthen the state’s AI and technology ecosystem.