Workshop Report - Andhra Pradesh, Building a Global Tourism Destination

Workshop on: Andhra Pradesh: Building a Global Tourism Destination on 11th January 2019 at Vigyan Bhavan

Mr. Praveen Prakash (IAS), Resident Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh Government

Mr Himanshu Shukla, IAS, Director Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh

Mr. S Shaanmohan, Additional Commissioner, IAS, APCRDA

Mr Nakul Anand, Chairman, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), and, Executive Director, ITC

Ms. Bhavna Saxena (IPS), Special Commissioner, AP Economic Development Board

Mr Suman Billa, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Mr Vikas Sharma, Director and Chief Executive, CSL

Many in the audience took the opportunity to ask questions to the panellists

Excellent suggestions were given by the enlightened audience

Investors were eager to learn more details

The questions kept on coming

An august gathering

L-R: Mr Himanshu Shukla, Mr Nakul Anand, Mr Suman Billa, Mr. Praveen Prakash, Ms. Bhavana Saxena, Mr. S Shaanmohan, Mr. Vikas Sharma

Centre for Strategy and Leadership (CSL) successfully conducted the workshop on “Andhra Pradesh: Building a Global Tourism Destination” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This was the fifth workshop of a nine-part series “Andhra ka Vikas, Desh ka Vikas”.

Andhra Pradesh is building a world-class Tourism City within its new capital Amaravati with the objective of boosting leisure, business, eco, health as well as religious tourism. Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) is the nodal agency which is developing the state’s new capital city of Amaravati.

The workshop was attended by top officials from the Government of Andhra Pradesh as well as 600+ dignitaries:

- hotels and restaurants

- resorts

- lodges and spas

- airlines and cruise lines

- tour, travel and vehicle rental agencies

- amusement and theme parks

- adventure tourism companies

- start-ups

- training institutes and skill development agencies

- associations

- architects and infrastructure developers

- international agencies

- diplomats

- print and electronic media

Mr. S Shaanmohan, Additional Commissioner, IAS, APCRDA shared the vision of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, of creating a Tourism city with world class facilities which at the core retains the culture, heritage and essence of Andhra Pradesh.

“We are developing a Tourism City in Amaravati which will be built on the pillars of river front development, health and wellness, nature-based experiences, and, heritage and culture. Spread over 11,573 acres with an estimated population of 2.7 lakh, the Tourism city is expected to generate employment for more than 2.2 lakh people,” said Mr Shaanmohan.

Mr Praveen Prakash, IAS, Resident Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh Government, underlined the state government’s focus on making Amaravati the world’s most iconic riverine tourism destination offering a compelling mix of rejuvenation, heritage, spirituality and nature amidst a vibrant & modern setting. He said “The Tourism city of Amaravati is a synergy between culture, heritage and world class facilities. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, the Tourism City is poised to become a world-class destination and the face of India’s vibrant tourism industry.”

Underlining the state government’s seriousness in engaging with genuine investors and calling for investments in Amaravati Tourism City, Ms. Bhavna Saxena, IPS, Special Commissioner, Economic Development Board, Government of Andhra Pradesh promised to extend full support to those interested in investing in the state. She shared opportunities featuring extensive river front-development for hotels, resorts, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) centres, theme parks, religious and cultural centres.

Mr Suman Billa, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India talked about the potential in Andhra Pradesh’s Tourism sector. He also informed the audience that development work and focus on safety of visitors is at the core of building Andhra Pradesh as a global tourist destination.

Mr Himanshu Shukla, IAS, Director Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh apprised the audience about a plethora of enchanting yet unexplored tourist destinations in Amaravati and rest of Andhra Pradesh. To promote MICE tourism in the state, he shared that the state government’s plans to develop Mega Convention Centres in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Vijayawada.

“The state government has taken several progressive steps towards creating world class infrastructure such as further augmenting the rail and road network, adding more national highways along with a beach corridor. To attract more visitors, the state is working towards creating six tourist hubs - Visakhapatnam, Srisailam, Rajahmundry-Konaseema-Kakinada, Vijayawada-Amaravati, Tirupati and Ananthapur-Puttaparthi.”, said Mr Shukla and invited investors to partner with the state.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr Nakul Anand, Chairman, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), and, Executive Director, ITC highlighted the opportunities in Amaravati for the Tourism industry and urged associates to visit Amaravati and also take advantage of the opportunities there.

According to Centre for Strategy and Leadership’s Chief Executive and Director Vikas Sharma, “Amaravati, as well as the entire state of Andhra Pradesh has immense potential with good return on investments. This Tourism City and the state’s hospitality will be a thrilling and joyful experience for tourists with adventure, leisure and eco-tourism at the core. He shared with the audience the experience of investors post recent investor meets and subsequent delegation visit to Amaravati and how progressive and welcoming the state is for visitors and investors.”