National Travel Mart gives fresh momentum to AP tourism

The National Travel Mart 2026, jointly organised by the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), commenced here on Friday, with State Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh stating that the event would provide fresh momentum to the State’s tourism sector.

Addressing delegates, the Minister said the mart represented a significant step in Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to diversify its tourism portfolio. He observed that the State was expanding its focus beyond temple tourism to promote its coastline, tribal regions, heritage destinations and eco-adventure circuits.

Referring to the Tourism Policy 2024–29, Mr. Durgesh said tourism had been accorded industry status, supported by incentives such as subsidies, SGST reimbursement and stamp duty exemptions. He noted that agreements worth ₹20,088 crore had been signed for 117 projects within 18 months, with the potential to generate 1,22,637 jobs. Investors, he added, were evincing interest in hotels, resorts and thematic parks.

The government, he said, was emphasising both ease and speed of doing business through a single-window clearance mechanism, aided by simplified procedures, investor facilitation cells, real-time tracking and transparent land allocation.

Mr. Durgesh described tour operators as crucial stakeholders and urged them to actively promote destinations across the State. He also announced the proposed launch of caravan tourism between Visakhapatnam and Araku, along with initiatives to strengthen homestays, introduce a bed-and-breakfast policy and establish tent cities.

Organisers reported around 700 registrations, including over 500 buyers from across the country. Senior officials, including Special Chief Secretary (Tourism) Ajay Jain and APTDC Managing Director Amrapali Kata, said the State’s Policy, Partnership and Process framework was yielding encouraging results.