Dr Rajat Bhargava,
I.A.S.,
Spl. Chief Secretary to Government, Revenue & YAT&C
Government of Andhra Pradesh
The state of Andhra Pradesh is renowned for its excellent infrastructure, large manufacturing base, talented youth, and business-friendly environment. To showcase these strengths of the state, engage with the global investor community, and find mutually beneficial opportunities, the Government of Andhra Pradesh is conducting a “Global Investors Summit 2023” at Visakhapatnam on the 3rd and 4th of March 2023. The theme for the Global Investor Summit 2023 is
“Advantage Andhra Pradesh- Where Abundance meets Prosperity”
The summit will present Andhra Pradesh through an exclusive state pavilion that will showcase the strong industrial base, robust presence of MSMEs and Startups, and investor-friendly atmosphere.
The 2-day summit offers an all-inclusive platform to international and domestic investors, policy-makers, diplomats from various countries across the globe, country business delegations, influencers, industry associations, and trade bodies to explore opportunities, and forge partnerships. The state has planned Business-to-Business (B2B) and Government-to-Business (G2B) meetings, keynote speeches, sector-specific plenary sessions, and exhibits as opportunities for global leaders to engage fruitfully. Additionally, the state has planned activities for international partners to experience local culture, art, and cuisine giving everyone a holistic experience of the state.
Andhra Pradesh is uniquely blessed with diverse and beautiful natural assets, virgin beaches, backwaters, pristine forest areas, national parks, historical locations, and religious destinations, complemented by world-class tourism infrastructure.
The State is one of the preferred tourism destinations in India. Andhra Pradesh reported 93.2 million domestic tourist visits in the year 2021. The State ranks third in the country in domestic tourism contributing to an overall 13.8 percent of India’s tourist footfall. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) is the most visited religious center in Andhra Pradesh, attracting over 36 million tourists annually.
The State has received multiple awards in tourism including the coveted National Tourism Award, 2017-18 for the Best State for Comprehensive Tourism Development.
Andhra Pradesh provides multiple opportunities for developing tourism projects and related services to cater to the vast potential and avenues that the state provides.
Sector Highlights & Key Initiatives
- Andhra Pradesh has ~108 temples (with an average daily footfall of 3000 tourists), 30+ beaches, 23 Buddhist Sites, 30+ Forts, 8 Caves, 7 Museums, 13 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 3 National Parks, 3 Hill Stations, 2 Perennial Rivers and religious & leisure sites, totalling to 495 heritage sites.
- The State’s popular Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam district is conferred with the coveted eco-label ‘Blue Flag’ by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in addition to 10 other shortlisted beaches.
- Andhra Pradesh attracts tourists to popular hill stations such as Lambasingi, Vanjangi, and Araku.
- The State is home to the largest stretch of Mangrove Forests in India at the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary with 24 mangrove tree species and more than 120 bird species. Situated in the estuaries of the Krishna and Godavari rivers, the Mangrove forests host a staggering wealth of biodiversity, including the endangered oriental critically endangered white-backed vulture, long-billed vulture, and painted stork.
- The State has the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, the Pulicat Lagoon situated at Pulicat Lake (USD 5 Bn.).
- Andhra Pradesh has allotted a dedicated berth by Cordelia Group to promote Cruise Tourism from Visakhapatnam.
- Promotion of theme-based tourism i.e., Heritage Tourism, Buddhist tourism, Eco-tourism, Rural tourism, etc.
- Accorded ‘Industry’ status to Mega Tourism Projects/5-star and other similar large projects.
Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2020-2025
Andhra Pradesh is a land of abundant Tourism potential. With the second longest coastline in the country – 974 kilometers, a rich spiritual and cultural heritage, ancient and historical religious sites, serene valleys and hills, forts, national parks, bird sanctuaries, caves, airports, seaports etc., the State of Andhra Pradesh holds vast tourism potential. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is committed towards the socio-economic development of the State and regards the Tourism Sector as one of the key growth engines for the economy of the State and crucial for employment generation. DOWNLOAD POLICY DOCUMENT The Objectives of the Policy :- To develop high-end luxury resorts at prominent tourist destinations in the State.
- To attract and facilitate private investments and entrepreneurship in tourism sector in the State
- To position the State as a preferred tourism destination nationally and globally.
- To create a conducive environment for co-creation of diverse tourism products and experiences
- To foster skill development and build institutional capacity for skill development in tourism sector .
- To provide best quality experience at all touch points to the tourists visiting the State
