Minister Cites Rs 20,088 crore Investments, Promises 1.22 lakh Jobs

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh’s tourism sector is poised for significant transformation under the new Tourism Policy for 2024–29, which grants industry status to this sector.

The policy offers various incentives, including subsidies, SGST reimbursement and stamp duty exemptions, tourism minister Kandula Durgesh stated at the National Tourism Mart event on Friday.

He said, within just 18 months, agreements have been signed for 117 projects worth Rs 20,088 crore, which are expected to create over 1.22 lakh jobs. Durgesh said the state is committed to both “ease of doing” and “speed of doing” business through single- window clearances, investor facilitation cells, and transparent land allocation.

The event held in Visakhapatnam was jointly organised by the AP government and the association of domestic tour operators of India. The two-day mart attracted over 500 buyers, 80 sellers, and representatives from nearly every state.

Durgesh described tour operators as the state’s brand ambassadors. “Andhra Pradesh is not only a hub of spiritual heritage but also a leader in innovation,” he said, citing initiatives such as the caravan tourism route from Visakhapatnam to Araku, the introduction of homestays and tent cities, and forthcoming policies focused on MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and film tourism.

He noted that tent cities would be developed for the 2027 Godavari Pushkaralu, alongside the promotion of eco, adventure, cruise, agritourism, heritage, medical and wellness tourism, in addition to the traditional temple tourism.

Durgesh unveiled the Andhra Pradesh Travel Partner Registration digital platform, designed to improve transparency and coordination with tourism partners. More than 100 Experience Centres currently employ 20,000 artists.

The minister said the policy aligns with the Swarna Andhra Vision 2047, which seeks to create jobs and establish Andhra Pradesh as the “Experience Capital of India.”