₹8,650 Crore Investment to Transform Visakhapatnam Tourism
Cruise Tourism, Seaplanes and Caravan Policy to Boost Tourist Arrivals
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub, positioning the coastal city as a world-class travel destination with massive investments, new infrastructure, and global tourism connectivity. State Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh announced the initiative in the Assembly, describing Visakhapatnam as the “crown jewel” of Andhra Pradesh’s tourism sector and reaffirming the coalition government’s commitment to its global development.
Responding to a question raised by Visakhapatnam South MLA Ch. Vamsi Krishna Srinivasa, the minister said the government’s new Tourism Policy (2024–29) places Visakhapatnam at the centre of its tourism expansion strategy. Under this policy, the city will serve as the anchor in the ‘Hub and Spoke’ model, connecting surrounding destinations through thematic tourism circuits.
Durgesh said the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub project will integrate spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, beach tourism, and heritage tourism, creating a comprehensive tourism ecosystem capable of attracting both domestic and international visitors.
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₹8,650 Crore Investments to Power Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub
A major boost to the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub came through the recent CII Summit, where the state secured 50 Memorandums of Understanding worth ₹8,650 crore. These agreements are expected to bring globally renowned hospitality brands, including Oberoi, Taj, Mayfair, and Atmosphere Core, to establish luxury hotels and resorts in the city.
Additionally, the State Investment Promotion Board has approved 16 tourism projects involving ₹4,098 crore in investments. These projects will add 2,858 new hotel rooms, significantly enhancing the city’s capacity to accommodate high-end international tourists.
The minister noted that such investments will not only strengthen tourism infrastructure but also create thousands of employment opportunities for local youth, boosting the regional economy.
As part of the Centre’s PRASAD scheme, ₹54.04 crore has been allocated for the development of the famous Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple near Visakhapatnam, one of the region’s most important spiritual destinations.
Similarly, ₹28.87 crore has been sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme for upgrading the Borra Caves, a major natural attraction known for its stunning limestone formations.
Cruise Tourism, Seaplanes and Water Sports to Expand Global Appeal
The government is focusing heavily on modern and adventure tourism to strengthen the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub initiative.
Durgesh said 10 types of water sports, including scuba diving and paramotoring, have already been launched at Rushikonda, Thimmapuram, Sagar Nagar, and Gosthani backwaters near Bheemili. More than 25 tourism activities have been introduced in just six months.
In a major step toward international connectivity, the state has proposed cruise tourism circuits linking Visakhapatnam with Bhubaneswar and Kolkata, and another connecting Visakhapatnam with Chennai and Tuticorin.
The government is also strengthening seaplane services between Visakhapatnam and Araku Valley, heli-tourism services, and cruise tourism routes connecting Chennai and Puducherry.
These initiatives are expected to place the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub prominently on the global tourism map.
The state is also developing a Buddhist tourism circuit connecting Thotlakonda and Bavikonda, two historically significant Buddhist sites that attract international visitors, especially from Southeast Asia.
Caravan Tourism, Double-Decker Buses and Homestays to Boost Local Economy
Tourism Minister Durgesh said innovative tourism concepts are being introduced to make the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub more accessible and attractive.
Caravan tourism has been launched with special caravan buses operating between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam. The government is planning caravan parks across Andhra Pradesh to promote road tourism.
The Hop-On Hop-Off double-decker bus service introduced between Visakhapatnam and Bheemili under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is receiving a strong response from tourists.
To ensure local participation, the government has introduced homestay and bed-and-breakfast policies, with 490 homestays already approved.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and the Chief Minister have granted industry status to tourism, enabling faster investments and development.
Andhra Mandapam and Beach Development Planned
The government is also working to develop an “Andhra Mandapam” similar to Bharat Mandapam, which will serve as a venue for international conferences, exhibitions, and tourism events.
Beachfront development is another major focus, with plans to upgrade Visakhapatnam’s coastline to global standards.
The minister said the Visakhapatnam Economic Region will be developed with special tourism infrastructure to attract foreign visitors.
The Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub project is expected to redefine the city’s global identity.
CRZ Reforms to Unlock Tourism Construction
Durgesh also addressed Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions, which have limited tourism development along Beach Road.
The state government has requested the Centre to reclassify certain areas from CRZ Zone-III to Zone-II to allow tourism infrastructure development.
He expressed confidence that CRZ-2019 reforms would remove major obstacles and accelerate tourism investments.
Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu suggested creating a world-class entertainment hub in Visakhapatnam to prevent Indian tourists from travelling abroad for premium experiences.
Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati to Lead Tourism Growth
Durgesh said the government is focusing on three major tourism hubs:
- Visakhapatnam
- Amaravati
- Tirupati
He said the coalition government has revived tourism, which declined between 2019 and 2024, and is now rebuilding Andhra Pradesh as a major tourism destination.
The Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub initiative is central to this strategy.
Major Employment and Economic Benefits Expected
The government believes the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub will generate:
- Thousands of direct jobs
- Growth in hotel and hospitality sector
- Increased foreign tourist arrivals
- Boost to local businesses
- Strong regional economic growth
Tourism is expected to become one of Andhra Pradesh’s biggest economic drivers.
Visakhapatnam Set to Become Global Tourism Capital
With massive investments, cruise tourism, luxury hotels, and modern infrastructure, Visakhapatnam is poised for a transformation.
Durgesh said the government’s vision is clear — to make Visakhapatnam a globally recognised tourism destination.
He expressed confidence that the Visakhapatnam International Tourism Hub initiative will deliver long-term benefits for the state and its people.
The minister added that more tourism projects will be launched soon, marking a new era for Andhra Pradesh tourism.
