Visakhapatnam to Emerge as Tourism Hub: Collector

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad on Saturday said Visakhapatnam is being developed as a major tourism hub, with projects and events designed to draw visitors from across India and abroad.

Speaking at the World Tourism Day celebrations at the VMRDA Children’s Arena, the Collector said tourism is central to the city’s development strategy. Recent steps include the launch of a double-decker bus, the UH3H museum, reopening of Yatri Niwas, and a string of initiatives along the beach corridor.

Mr. Prasad said projects are being executed by GVMC, VMRDA and the Tourism Department. Land has already been allotted for hotels and resorts to expand accommodation options. Temple tourism is also being promoted by linking pilgrim circuits of North and South Andhra.

“The State government is giving special focus to tourism with Visakhapatnam as the hub,” he said. “Several projects will be completed within the next two to three years, changing the city’s landscape.”

The Collector said the cultural calendar is packed with events, including Bheemili Utsav, Visakha Utsav, an international fleet review, and the Visakhapatnam parade in February. More cultural programmes, similar to the recent food festival, will follow.

As part of the celebrations, winners of video and photography contests were felicitated, along with artists, hoteliers, merchants and blood donors. In videography, Anmol Nilav won first prize, followed by Kiran Tummala and Nivedita Ganguly. In photography, K. R. Deepak secured first place, with Monika and Nawaz in second and third. Bhargav Raju received a special award.

A blood donation camp held at the venue saw 100 participants. Mr. Prasad commended the donors, congratulated children who performed cultural programmes, and joined them for a group photograph.
District Tourism Officer J. Madhavi, DVM Jagadish, association members, students and officials took part in the event.