APTDC signs 8 MoUs worth Rs 1,217 crore at tourism summit
Visakhapatnam:The AP Tourism Development Corporation has signed eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 1,217 crore, which are hoped to expected to generate 2,667 jobs in the tourism sector.
The agreements were finalized during the Regional Tourism Investors Summit here on Monday, which attracted over 150 investors. The signing was done in the presence of tourism minister Kandula Durgesh.
The investments include Atmosphere Core's offer of `500 crore for a hotels and resorts project in Yarada Beach; Sumi Yashshree's `50 crore for hotels in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati; Ripple and Co's `100 crore project for villas and a convention centre; MICE Destination’s wedding venue at Sariyapalli village in ASR district;, Royal Palms’ `30 crore luxury resort project in Chirala; Bluebay Infra Project’s `18 crore beachfront hotel resort in Bhogapuram; Everest Enterprises’ `7 crore wellness resort in Visakhapatnam; Hotel S Park's `7 crore development in Bapatla; and Dolphin Ocean Cruise’s `5 crore project in Visakhapatnam.
The projects will lead to the establishment of 825 rooms across Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Amaravati and Alluri Sitarama Raju districts.
Minister Durgesh emphasized the state government's commitment to developing the tourism sector along with the industrial sector, promising reforms in GST, power, and municipal corporation charges through a new tourism policy. He described North Andhra as a major tourism destination known for its natural beauty and environmental friendliness.
He said cruise tourism will be resmed soon. It was stopped due to calls from the Pondicherry government. “I held discussions with the Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and he has agreed to resume the facility. Pilgrim tourism will be simultaneously taken up along with adventure tourism, Durgesh said, and promised that the government will support investors.
The minister announced plans to permit night-time hotel/eatery operations, a long-standing request from the hospitality sector. He urged investors to submit clear, feasible proposals, assuring them of their swift implementation. He also cited the introduction of a single window system to streamline processes.
“I have requested the CM to reduce the liquor bar licence fee from `66 lakh to `20 lakh for star hotels,” he said.
In his address, special chief secretary and tourism in-charge Ajay Jain highlighted several key developments in the tourism sector. He noted that an initial investor summit was held in Vijayawada. Apart from the present summit, a third summit is planned for Tirupati.
He said the state government aims to create 2 million job opportunities in the tourism sector over the next five years.
APTDC chairman Nookasani Balaji acknowledged that tourism development had experienced a slowdown over the past five years. Tourism MD Amrapali Kata discussed the recent Flamingo Festival in Sullurpet, Tirupati district, and revealed plans to diversify beyond temple tourism. He also outlined the establishment of various tourism circuits throughout the state.
