Andhra Pradesh Positions Itself as Emerging Tourism Hub at 41st IATO Convention
TSNN Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is stepping up efforts to establish itself as a major domestic and international tourism destination, using the 41st annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) in Visakhapatnam to showcase its diverse tourism assets, attract investment and strengthen its presence in global travel markets.
More than 1,000 tourism stakeholders from across India are converging on Visakhapatnam for the three-day convention, being held from September 10 to 13 under the theme “India – The World’s Next Tourism Opportunity.” The convention is focused on expanding India’s inbound tourism potential while positioning Andhra Pradesh as an emerging international destination.
Speaking at a curtain-raiser in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said the state was pursuing a strategy centred on responsible and eco-friendly tourism, with the objective of taking Andhra Pradesh to international markets.
₹20,000 Crore Tourism Investment Attracted
Durgesh said Andhra Pradesh had attracted approximately ₹20,000 crore in tourism investments over the past two years, reflecting growing investor confidence in the sector.
Visakhapatnam is emerging as a particular focus of the investment drive. According to the minister, 16 tourism projects worth ₹5,529 crore have been approved in the city. Together, the projects are expected to add around 950 hotel rooms and generate approximately 10,000 direct jobs.
The government is also attempting to strengthen participation by local travel businesses. Eligible tourism operators from Andhra Pradesh joining IATO will have the association’s one-time admission fee of ₹10,000 plus GST waived until December 31. The convention registration fee for Andhra Pradesh representatives has also been reduced to ₹3,000, compared with as much as ₹8,500 for other participants.
Building a Broader Tourism Portfolio
The state is seeking to move beyond conventional tourism products by developing a wider range of experiences spanning its coastline, forests, hill destinations, spiritual centres and cultural attractions.
Among the emerging segments being promoted are wellness, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, heli-tourism and seaplane services. Wellness tourism, including yoga and Ayurveda, is being developed along Andhra Pradesh’s 1,058-kilometre coastline, while infrastructure development is being advanced in destinations such as Araku, Lambasingi and Maredumilli.
The government has also accorded tourism industry status and introduced incentives under its 2024–29 tourism policy, with measures supporting areas such as caravan tourism, homestays, land allocation and employment generation.
Godavari Pushkarams Positioned as Major Tourism Opportunity
A key element of Andhra Pradesh’s tourism strategy is the Godavari Pushkarams in 2027, which the state intends to develop as a major spiritual and cultural tourism event.
The government is accelerating the ₹94.44-crore Akhanda Godavari project with the aim of completing it before the Pushkarams. The state is also exploring cruise and seaplane services and expanding its homestay network. More than 850 people have reportedly expressed interest in establishing homestay facilities, according to the tourism minister.
Seven tourism circuits are being developed around the Godavari catchment to offer visitors a combination of spiritual, cultural and heritage experiences. These include the Pancharama Kshetras, Shakti Peethas, Vaishnava Divya Kshetras, heritage temples, Pushkar ghats and the Akhanda Godavari region.
Proposed itineraries are expected to connect attractions including Havelock Bridge, Papikondalu, Antarvedi, Vadapalli, Appanapalli, Mandapalli, Samarlakota, Draksharamam and Palakollu.
The strategy is designed to transform the Pushkarams from a primarily religious gathering into a broader tourism opportunity capable of generating longer stays and encouraging travellers to explore multiple destinations across the state.
Aviation Connectivity to Drive Tourism Growth
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu has highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s natural, spiritual and cultural resources and the potential for the state to emerge as a world-class tourism destination.
Improved aviation connectivity is expected to be central to this ambition. The state is looking to strengthen connections to Visakhapatnam and other destinations while exploring new airports and seaplane services.
The expansion of air connectivity could make it easier for international visitors to combine coastal destinations with the state’s hill, wildlife, heritage and religious attractions, creating more comprehensive multi-day itineraries.
IATO Backs International Promotion
IATO President Ravi Gosain said Andhra Pradesh possessed a diverse tourism portfolio that remained largely unexplored by international travellers.
The association intends to use the convention as a platform to showcase the state’s tourism products and encourage its members across India to promote Andhra Pradesh in international markets.
Specialised tour packages are expected to be developed around the Andhra Pradesh coast, Araku, Papikondalu and the Godavari Pushkarams, giving travel companies a wider range of products to market to both domestic and overseas visitors.
Visakhapatnam Takes Centre Stage
The choice of Visakhapatnam as host city puts one of Andhra Pradesh’s most prominent coastal destinations at the heart of the national tourism conversation.
With its beaches, urban infrastructure and proximity to destinations such as Araku and other parts of coastal and northern Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam is being positioned as a gateway to the state’s wider tourism offering.
The investment pipeline, new tourism products, improved connectivity and preparations for the Godavari Pushkarams together reflect Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to build a more competitive and internationally marketable tourism ecosystem.
For the state, the IATO convention represents more than an industry gathering. It provides an opportunity to connect government initiatives and private investment with the travel trade that can ultimately take Andhra Pradesh’s tourism story to international markets.
