AP Tourism Development Corporation mulls star hotel at Horsley Hills

Tirupati: AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has been planning big for renowned tourist hill station Horsley Hills in the district. 

Keeping in view the increasing demand for accommodation, the APTDC has decided to build a star hotel with international standards. For this it will associate with reputed hotel brands to design, execute and maintain the hotel right from the beginning and called for ‘expression of interest’ from those interested. 

The APTDC has acquired three acres of land from the revenue department at a good location from where visitors can have a better view of hills and having it in their possession. Depending on the response to their call, a modern star hotel facility will come up there in another one year.

The APTDC is currently having 58 rooms at Horsley Hills including 10 tented accommodations. The rents of various cottages vary from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000 while the Governor’s Bungalow and another suit cost Rs 7,000 per day.

The rooms have been witnessing almost 100 per cent occupation and in summer and weekends one can find it impossible to get accommodation in a short notice.  During 2017-18, Horsley Hills fetched APTDC revenue of Rs 4.2 crore against Rs 2.9 crore during the previous fiscal. This year up to November 30, they got Rs 3.2 crore with four months still left in this fiscal. 

Besides accommodation, APTDC is also operating bar and restaurant, swimming pool, ayurvedic health spa, children play area, adventure and rope activities which were getting huge patronage. 

On the occasion of New Year celebrations, the APTDC is organising special programmes on December 31 and January 1 for the visitors for which they need to pay a special fee.

Divisional Manager of APTDC RV Suresh Kumar Reddy told The Hans India that they earned Rs 29 crore till November 30 this year as against the target of Rs 25 crore. For this fiscal, the target was Rs 36 crore out of which only Rs 7 crore balance is left.

Out of the revenue earned so far, the transport services contribute a major chunk of revenue which is Rs 23.5 crore followed by Horsley Hills with Rs 3.2 crore. Its resorts and other services contribute the balance share.

The APTDC is having a fleet of 28 vehicles including Volvo buses, AC high-tech buses, Innovas and other vehicles. Daily about 16 services are being operated from places like Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam (on alternate days), Madurai and Kumbakonam. Another 6-7 local tour packages exist besides two packages for surrounding places. 

The APTDC has been jointly operating some services with private operators. For those coming from Karnataka by bus and want a vehicle from Tirupati to go to Srikalahasti, Tiruchanoor and Tirumala on a two-day trip, APTDC provides suitable vehicles depending on the number of passengers, said the Divisional Manager.

“We have sent proposals for introduction of five new AC Hitech buses into the fleet. We can have good response for our packages as they include darshan at Tirumala, other facilities and also cover local temples too with local packages,” he said.