AP inks Rs 10,328 cr in tourism MoUs, 22K jobs expected
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh govt on Friday signed more than 80 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with leading international and domestic investors in the private tourism sector, amounting to 10,328 crore.
The MoUs were formalized in the presence of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the AP Tourism Tech AI 2.0 conclave here.
These partnerships are expected to generate employment for 22,325 people and add 7,600 new hotel room keys across the state over the next four years.
Naidu announced plans for robust tourism infrastructure, including a domestic airport in Madanapalle of Annamayya district. He extended an invitation to Patanjali Ayurved, led by Baba Ramdev, to develop a world-class wellness centre at Horsley Hills in Annamayya district, and proposed Baba Ramdev serve as a tourism advisor to the govt.
Reaffirming tourism as a transformative force, Naidu remarked that while ideologies like socialism, capitalism, and communism may fade, "tourism will be the only 'ism' to endure", calling it a catalyst for sustainable growth.
With a vision to evolve into a $2.4 trillion economy under the Swarnandhra @2047 blueprint, Naidu said the state aims for a 20% growth rate in tourism, scaling its contribution to the GSDP from 74,000 crore to 2.4 lakh crore by 2028-29.
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"The govt is planning to scale up the room inventory from the present 20,000 to 50,000 over the next four years, besides 10,000 plus homestays across tribal, rural, coastal, and heritage regions. This targets generating two million jobs through the tourism sector alone and enhancing the per capita income and standard of living of the poor in the state," Naidu noted.
"Andhra Pradesh has the best temples, 21 of which generate wealth running into crores through hundi offerings and others.
From ancient cities and a 1,000 km coastline to forest reserves and riverine systems like the Godavari and Krishna, the state's natural and spiritual assets are second to none. The govt is also developing seven anchor hubs, including Vizag, Araku, Rajahmundry, Amaravati, Srisailam, Gandikota, and Tirupati, and over 25 thematic circuits, including 10 temple circuits, 5 coastal, 4 river routes, 2 cruises, 2 Buddhist, and 3 ecotourism trails," Naidu mentioned.
On the occasion, the CM launched the state's tourism digital calendar, strategy paper, brochure, and event schedule. Earlier in the day, he flagged off the caravan tourism initiative, promoting sustainable tourism in lesser-known destinations.
Patanjali founder Ramdev Baba, tourism minister Kandula Durgesh, APTDC chairman Dr Nukasani Balaji, GFST director Cherukuri Kutumba Rao, and senior officials were present.
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