Andhra Pradesh aims to become global tourism destination, says Minister Kandula Durgesh
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh on Friday (June 19, 2026) said the State government was committed to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh on Friday (June 19, 2026) said the State government was committed to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a world-class tourism destination and a major driver of economic growth and employment generation. Addressing the media at Berm Park in Vijayawada, Mr. Durgesh highlighted the achievements of the Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Departments during the coalition government’s two years in office. He said the government had granted industry status to tourism and introduced the Tourism Policy 2024-29, attracting investments worth nearly ₹20,000 crore through 117 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These projects were expected to generate over 1.22 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities. Permissions had been granted for 50 new hotels, adding over 9,000 rooms to the existing hospitality infrastructure.
The government aimed to create 50,000 hotel rooms across the State within five years through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, he informed. Durgesh noted that domestic tourist arrivals had increased by 17% over the past two years, reaching 37 crore footfalls, while foreign tourist arrivals touched 2.62 lakh. As a result, Andhra Pradesh had improved its ranking from 16th to 13th place nationally in tourism. Major tourism hubs were being developed in Visakhapatnam, Araku, Rajamahendravaram, Amaravati, Srisailam, Gandikota and Tirupati, supported by 25 thematic tourism circuits. Homestays The Minister said the government was also promoting cruise tourism, caravan tourism, homestays, adventure tourism and wellness tourism. A special emphasis was being placed on tourist safety through the establishment of a dedicated Beach Protection Force.
A Statewide homestay portal, integrating 1,855 homestays, had been launched, while tent cities were being planned at 21 major temples to boost spiritual tourism. The Minister revealed that the Central Government had sanctioned ₹428 crore for eight major tourism projects, including Suryalanka Beach, Borra Caves, Gandikota, Annavaram, Simhachalam, Ahobilam and the Nagarjuna Sagar Buddhist Circuit. Andhra Pradesh recently received the ‘Best Tourism Promotion State’ award, while Araku Valley was recognised with an ‘Instagrammable Landscape’ award. On the cultural front, the government had revived awards such as Kala Ratna and Ugadi Puraskarams, and was working towards restoring artist pensions and support schemes for Kuchipudi dance teachers. Plans were underway to establish a music college in every district and promote the State’s creative economy through tourism and culture.
The BriefWire