Govt to rope in global agencies to help develop tourist destinations in state

Amaravati: The state government is planning to rope in international agencies to develop tourist destinations in the state. Chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, during a review of ongoing projects in tourism, sports, youth welfare and cultural affairs department at his camp office, directed officials to ready the road map to make the state a global tourist destination. Tourism minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao and senior officials were also present at the meeting.
The chief minister, who also gave the green signal for setting up of AP archaeological corporation to develop historical and archaeologically significant places in the state, asked officials to ready proposals for development of at least 15-20 tourist destinations with the help of reputed global agencies. He wanted seven-star hotels to be set up in those locations to attract tourists from across the world. “Infrastructure in tourist places should be upgraded to world class. We can’t make people visit tourist locations without creating adequate infrastructure. We should see that hotels with seven-star facilities are built in these locations,” Jagan said.
Focusing on select locations would help the areas develop faster, the CM opined, and asked officials to market the tourist destinations only after creating proper infrastructure for visitors. Kalingapatnam, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Rajahmundry, Polavaram, Suryalanka, Horsely Hills, Orvakallu and Gandikota are among the places to be developed as global tourist destinations. Jagan wanted a comprehensive report to be readied for development of these locations. He also asked officials to upgrade the infrastructure at Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Pulichintala, Somasila, Kandaleru reservoirs and focus on making Lambasingi, Araku, Paderu and Maredumilli as tourist hubs. He also wanted renovation of all the resorts being managed by APTDC.
Jagan further asked officials to construct international stadiums in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Amaravati, and Rajahmundry or Kakinada. He wanted integrated sports complexes to be built in all the districts to promote sports in a big way in the state. He also gave his nod for construction of cultural academies in all the districts. “Each cultural auditorium should be built in an extent of at least five acres where institutes to promote different forms of arts can be set up,” the CM said, while asking officials to take measures to protect the state’s own brands of Etikoppaka and Kondapalli handicrafts.

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