BV Mahalakshmi Financial Express 23rd July, 2004
Recognising tourism as a major growth engine for generating more employment and boosting economic growth, Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a favoured international and domestic destination.
The state government is chalking out long-term strategies for promoting the state as a favourable destination for both domestic and international tourists. By giving priority to rural, temple and heritage tourism, livelihood of small artisans producing and promoting the exclusive handicrafts of the state are expected to get a major boost.
Hosting the 73rd session of the Executive Council of World Tourism Organisation (WTO) in Hyderabad, chief minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy emphasised that his government will bring out an ‘enabling policy framework’ for sustainable development of the tourism sector with an all-inclusive strategy for the socio-economic development of the state. Incidentally, the WTO meet focusing on ‘Sustainable Management of Destination’ is taking place in India after a gap of 20 years. Recognising the importance of developing human resources, the state government is planning to establish a National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management in Hyderabad.
The government has already made a request to the World Tourism Organisation to collaborate in developing this institute as a centre of excellence for the whole of Asia.
While unveiling the roadmap at the conference, Dr Reddy said that the government is working on strategies outlined in the plan relating to the development of infrastructure, marketing, human resources management, investment and institutional structures in tourism.
Andhra Pradesh has so much to offer with Hyderabad emerging as one the most sought-after destinations. Some of the attractive sites include the temple town of Tirupati known as the Vatican of the East, Buddhist Viharas, Mosques with several historical monuments, apart from the well-known ones.
Exquisite cuisine is an added attraction. Tourism contributes about 6.37 per cent of the state GDP and has been growing steadily with increased tourist arrivals.
Arts and crafts of the state like Kuchipudi dance, Kondapalli toys, Kalamkari designs, Pochampalli sarees etc are some of those world-renowned names which make one remember Andhra Pradesh besides the City of Pearls. Hyderabadi biryani and Irani chai add to the culinary delights.
The state government has decided to work on a public-private partnership model whereby the government would be the facilitator and the private sector’s role would be encouraged. Some of the innovative projects which the government has initiated are: Southern Splendour —a well-equipped circular tourist train traversing the southern states of India; a sea Cruise between Visakhapatnam, Port Blair and Chennai; lower Krishna valley Buddhist circuit with special heritage conservation projects at Nagarjunasagar and Amaravati; inscribing a site in AP on the world heritage List of UNESCO; creating a one-stop facilitation centre in Hyderabad called Paryatak Bhavan for all tourism-related activities.
Working on a new mantra called ‘Responsible Tourism’, the state government is taking responsibility for development of heritage, environment and propagation of tradition and culture. Further, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has suggested to the government of India that it be made the regional hub for cruise tourism connecting the Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands. |