Tourism Minister calls upon officials to come up with a ‘tourism and cultural event calendar’

Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh on Thursday (February 6) ordered that the Department identify tourism spots in the districts, draw up detailed region-wise plans for their development over the next five years and come up with a “tourism and cultural event calendar” for organising tourism events at State, district and constituency levels.

Addressing a review meeting with the Tourism Department officials at A.P. Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) head office in Mangalagiri, Mr. Durgesh said due focus should be laid on projects including Akhanda Godavari and Gandikota, which were being implemented with Central support.

He promised the officials all possible support in securing necessary approvals from the Forest and Endowments departments.

Mr. Durgesh highlighted the fact that investors have great confidence in the coalition government and advised the officials to furnish the details required by them and encourage public-private partnership (PPP) models. He also called upon the officials to mobilise higher quantum of funds under the Corporate Social Responsibility schemes.

The officials on their part suggested that greater emphasis could be laid on setting up home stays in spiritual destinations such as Tirupati and Srisailam, and the Minister agreed.

Principal Secretary Ajay Jain and APTDC MD Amrapali Kata proposed the idea of popularising free wedding shoots, adventure sports, children’s games and fishing with local fishermen as tourism attractions.