As Andhra Pradesh unveils a forward-looking tourism policy, the state emerges as one of India’s most promising destinations—where investment, innovation, and immersive experiences converge to shape a new travel story.
On a breezy coastal morning in Visakhapatnam, the hum of cranes and construction blends with the rhythm of the Bay of Bengal. Hotels rise along the skyline, new roads cut through verdant hills, and a sense of momentum runs deep through Andhra Pradesh’s landscape. For a state known for its ancient temples, Buddhist relics, and the lyrical pull of its coastline, a quiet reinvention is underway — one that could redefine India’s tourism map.
At the heart of this transformation lies the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024–2029, a progressive blueprint launched in December 2024. Far more than a policy document, it signals the state’s commitment to making tourism an engine of inclusive and sustainable growth.
“We’ve created one of the most investor-friendly ecosystems in India—with unmatched financial and regulatory advantages,” says Ajay Jain, IAS, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. “Granting Industry Status to hotels is at the core of this vision. It gives hoteliers access to financial and operational benefits that genuinely ease the way business is done.”
A New Investment Ethos
The details are compelling. Investors in Andhra Pradesh now enjoy 100% reimbursement of stamp duty and land conversion charges, capital subsidies up to 25% for MSMEs, and 100% SGST reimbursement for seven to fifteen years. Energy and water, vital to large tourism projects, are supplied at industrial tariffs, while electricity duty is reimbursed for five years.
Such incentives are paired with an unprecedented commitment to transparency. All government-owned tourism land parcels are digitally mapped and publicly listed, eliminating discretion and fostering trust among investors.
“This transparent land allotment mechanism has become a pillar of investor confidence,” Jain explains. “It creates a level playing field and ensures that every project—large or small—has equal opportunity.”
The results are already visible. In a short span, the state has drawn interest from an impressive roster of hospitality brands: Taj, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Atmosphere Core, Postcard Hotels, Mayfair, Oberoi, and Lemon Tree, among others. These names aren’t merely investing in Andhra Pradesh—they’re validating it.
Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Gandikota, Horsley Hills, and the coastal belt are being positioned as key tourism clusters. Each destination offers a different note in Andhra Pradesh’s melody: the sea’s serenity in Vizag, spirituality in Tirupati, canyon adventures in Gandikota, and colonial nostalgia along its palm-fringed coast.
The Inbound Push: From ASEAN to Araku
While domestic tourism remains robust, Andhra Pradesh is also turning its gaze outward. The state welcomed around 25,000 foreign tourists in 2024–2025, and is now actively courting visitors from the ASEAN region.
“Our focus is to curate experiences around what makes Andhra truly unique—our tribal heritage, Buddhist roots, and artisanal craftsmanship,” Jain shares.
Amaravati and Nagarjunakonda, home to some of India’s most evocative Buddhist relics, are being revived as cultural hubs. Tribal tourism circuits showcase the traditions of indigenous communities, while local artisans breathe new life into Kondapalli toys and Kalamkari textiles—offering travellers immersive encounters that go far beyond sightseeing.
Domestically, Andhra Pradesh has mastered a hub-and-spoke tourism model. Visakhapatnam draws leisure travellers from East and Central India; Suryalanka and Amaravati welcome visitors from neighbouring Telangana; Gandikota and Lepakshi attract explorers from Karnataka. Meanwhile, Tirupati and Srisailam continue to anchor spiritual tourism, drawing millions year-round.
Infrastructure in Motion
If Andhra’s cultural wealth is its soul, infrastructure is the heartbeat driving it forward. Across the state, multi-modal connectivity projects are reshaping mobility. Roads, railways, airports, ports, and urban transport systems are being upgraded to international standards.
The upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, slated to open by mid-2026, will be a game changer. Positioned as India’s eastern gateway to Southeast Asia, it promises to transform Visakhapatnam into a thriving aviation and logistics hub.
Parallel developments in the Orvakal Industrial Corridor and the Amaravati region are catalysing business travel and MICE tourism. Highway upgrades—like the NH-516E expansion to Araku Valley—will reduce travel times, while the Visakhapatnam–Raipur corridor will strengthen inter-state tourism flows.
“Infrastructure is the bridge between vision and experience,” Jain notes. “From cruise terminals to seaplane links, we’re creating the pathways that make travel seamless.”
Indeed, Andhra Pradesh’s ambitions extend to eco-tourism in Araku, riverfront leisure at Rajahmundry’s Akhanda Godavari, and water-based adventures at Polavaram. Urban travellers can look forward to the Vizag and Vijayawada Metro projects, and soon, cruise ships docking at the new international terminal.
The upcoming seaplane connectivity between Vijayawada, Hyderabad, and Srisailam could become one of India’s most scenic flight routes—a literal bridge between pilgrimage, adventure, and natural beauty.
Tourism for the People
Behind every policy and project, Andhra Pradesh’s approach remains human. The state’s tourism skilling initiative has trained more than 1,500 youth and women across 15 programmes—spanning guiding, culinary arts, transport, and travel operations.
Women-led Self-Help Groups are taking ownership of homestays, souvenir production, and eco-tourism projects in destinations like Kuchipudi and Kondapalli, embedding community pride in the tourism value chain.
“We want tourism to be a source of dignity, not just employment,” says Jain. “Our goal is to make local communities stakeholders in Andhra’s growth story.”
This inclusive ethos aligns with the larger vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047—a developed India built on regenerative, people-first growth.
A State on the Rise
As India’s travel map continues to evolve, Andhra Pradesh stands out for its clarity of purpose. It’s not chasing numbers—it’s building systems, empowering people, and inviting the world to discover what lies beyond the familiar.
From coastal calm to canyon adventures, from ancient Buddhist trails to cutting-edge airports, Andhra Pradesh is weaving together the old and the new into something remarkably fresh.
For investors, it’s a moment of opportunity. For travellers, it’s an invitation to explore a destination in the making, one where the future of Indian tourism is already unfolding.
“The right time to invest in Andhra Pradesh,” Ajay Jain says with quiet conviction, “is now.”
