Tourism Minister Muttamsetty Srinivasa Rao has said that the city of Visakhapatnam has all the advantages of being developed as a major tourist destination in the state.
Speaking at the National Tourism Day celebrations held at the VMRDA Children’s Arena here on Tuesday, the Minister said that the tourism policy is being formulated and implemented so that the state can be placed on the tourism map of the world. An AP Tourism App will be launched soon and a plan to develop a tourism circuit from Visakhapatnam to Rayalaseema was being worked out. He said that the State has huge potential to promote places of historical interest, temple tourism and adventure sports.
Alluri Memorial
He said that the Central and State Governments are jointly developing the Alluri Sitarama Raju Memorial at KD Peta in the district. Rashikonda Beach has already earned the coveted ‘Blue Flag’, an international recognition for safe beaches. A Bangladeshi ship that collided on Visakhapatnam beach was being converted into a floating restaurant. He recalled that the tourism department had contributed in the supply of clean and healthy food to the COVID hospitals during the pandemic.
District Collector A. Mallikarjuna said that several tourism projects would start in the district. He said that promotion of tourism would also contribute to the development of allied sectors like hotel industry, tour and travel operators, resorts and generate employment for tourist guides.
AP Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Vara Prasad Reddy termed the launch of Andhra Pradesh Tourism Business Facilitation Portal 2020 as a progressive measure. The objective of National Tourism Day was to create awareness among the general public about the benefits of sightseeing.
Araku MP G. Madhavi said that there is immense potential for tourism in the agency areas of Visakhapatnam district. He said that tourists can also learn about the tribal culture and traditions.
Folk and classical dances performed by tribal and classical dancers enthralled the audience. Certificates were given to the winners in the essay writing and debate competition organized on the occasion of National Tourism Day.
Zilla Parishad President J. Subhadra, GVMC Commissioner Laxmisha, Deputy Mayor Gianni Sridhar, Matsya Nigam Chairman Kola Guruvulu, Minorities Corporation Chairman John Wesley, MLC V. Kalyani and MLA K. Bhagyalakshmi, Chetty Phalgun and Tippala Nagi Reddy were among those who attended.
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