Investments worth 15,000 cr expected in tourism sector

Vijayawada: Mukesh Kumar Meena, Secretary, Tourism and Culture, has made it clear that the State government would promote investors who have financial and technical background. 

He said the government had announced tourism policy in 2015 and since then efforts were being made to promote tourism in the State. He said Andhra Pradesh ranks third in the country in attracting tourists as 16 crore tourists visited the State last year. Mukesh Kumar Meena addressed a seminar organised by Andhra Chamber of Commerce here on Monday. 

Entrepreneurs representing tourism, hotels and other departments attended the seminar. Speaking on the occasion, Mukesh Kumar said the State government was allotting lands to the reputed hotels to promote tourism.

Stating that private sector plays a vital role in promotion of tourism, he felt it should also happen in Andhra Pradesh. He made it clear that the government will not delay the sanction of permissions for setting up hotels and other tourism projects in the State.

He said the government gives priority to the investors with sound technical and financial support. He said the State was expecting investments worth Rs 15,000 crore in tourism sector. Projects worth Rs 5,000 crore were already grounded during the last four years in the State.

"Presentation of papers without technical or financial background has no use," he pointed out.  Mukesh Kumar said promotion of tourism is a big challenge and the State government was taking the stakeholders to other countries to promote tourism and attract tourists.

He pointed out that development of tourism is a very lengthy process. He said that Kerala became a major tourist destination due to 40 years of work by the private investors, the State government and other stakeholders and they promote tourism basing on Ayurveda and boat homes etc. 

APTDC chairman Professor V Jayarami Reddy and Andhra Chamber of Commerce president V L Indira Dutt welcomed the participants. Industrialist Malineni Rajaiah, former Mayor Jandhyala Shankar, hoteliers and other stakeholders spoke on the occasion. The hoteliers asked the government to allot land at concessional rates to the hotels in the capital region and other places.