AP secures tourism investment proposals worth ₹19,400 crore, says APTDC Chairman
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) Chairman Dr. Nukasani Balaji on Tuesday said the State had attracted tourism investment proposals worth ₹19,400 crore since the rollout of its new tourism policy in September 2024, reflecting growing investor interest in the sector.
Addressing a press conference at the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headquarters in Mangalagiri, Dr. Balaji said the investment proposals were formalised through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed during the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Summit held in Visakhapatnam. The proposed investments are expected to generate nearly 92,000 employment opportunities across the hospitality, infrastructure, transport, and allied sectors, he said.
The APTDC Chairman said the government had moved beyond signing agreements and had begun implementing several projects. Of the 65 tourism projects proposed under the new policy, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for 40 have already been submitted. The State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) has approved 18 projects involving investments of ₹4,376 crore, while seven projects, with a combined investment of ₹188 crore, have already been commissioned and are operational.
Dr. Balaji said the government was focusing on developing tourism infrastructure while promoting Andhra Pradesh’s cultural heritage. As part of this initiative, ₹891 crore has been earmarked for organising tourism and cultural events, including the Vizag Festival, Araku Festival, Anakapalli Festival, and Amaravati Avakaya Festival. These events are intended to showcase the State’s traditions, cuisine, and local arts while attracting more visitors, he said.
He said water tourism was also being revived through the restoration of traditional attractions and the expansion of river-based tourism activities. As part of these efforts, the ‘Jala Harathi’ programme has been reintroduced on the Godavari and Krishna rivers to enhance the visitor experience and promote heritage tourism.
Dr. Balaji said the coalition government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, viewed tourism as a key driver of economic growth, employment generation, and regional development. The government, he added, was committed to creating a conducive investment climate and strengthening tourism infrastructure to position Andhra Pradesh as a preferred tourism destination in the country.