Andhra Pradesh beckons global tourists with its pristine beaches, stunning hill stations, divine temples and serene backwaters

·         Aims to develop the state as the most preferred destination globally

·         Appeals for investment in tourism projects and be a part of a wonderful growth story

The Sunrise state of Andhra Pradesh, blessed with some of the finest tourist destinations in India, beckons international tourists to come and experience the hospitality and create a memory that would be etched ever after. Right from the pristine beaches of Visakhapatnam to the backwaters of Dindi and again from the holy Lord Balaji temple of Tirupati to the beautiful Araku Valley, the state has all the elements making it a world class tourist destination.

With a favourable tourism policy in practice and a business friendly approach, Andhra Pradesh also made an appeal to the investor community for taking part in the tourism infrastructure development projects and ride the wave of growth. Apart from various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, the state also assures investors of full fledged support and co-operation.

Dr. Srikant Nagulapalli, IAS, Secretary, Culture & Tourism, Government of Andhra Pradesh, said “Our endeavor is to develop Andhra Pradesh as the most preferred destination and under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu we are taking progressive steps in that direction. Our vision is to create an all-round tourist friendly environment in the state which ensures a memorable experience for each and every guest every time they visit Andhra Pradesh.”

With an aim to attract tourists from far and wide, the state is also organizing multiple mega festivals such as Visakha Utsav, Lepakshi festival, Araku festival and Flamingo festival in the upcoming months. Andhra Pradesh is participating in this prestigious event by sending a four-member delegation led by Mr. Srikant Nagulapalli, IAS - Secretary (T&C). 

Andhra Pradesh Government is working on a Mission approach to promote the state as India’s most preferred tourist destination and position as a global tourism brand by providing world class tourism products and services, while preserving the culture, heritage, environmental balance and natural beauty of the state.

In line with this goal, Andhra Pradesh plans to identify and partner groups which will operate as key partners for promoting inbound tourism in the state and act as state partners for national and international tourism road shows, expos and events. With this focused approach the state has in place the APEX scheme – Andhra Pradesh EXperts (APEX) on tourism to promote the state nationally and internationally. 

Participating in WTM London as a co-exhibitor at the India Pavilion,Andhra Pradesh will also be hosting a press conference and a road show for Tour Operators & Travel Service Providers of UK.The agenda for the roadshow is to give a high level overview of the state’s culture, destinations and incentives to promote tourism in the Sunrise State of Andhra Pradesh.Andhra Pradesh will also be inviting them to partner by becoming members of APEX (Andhra Pradesh Experts Scheme).

AP Tourism will also be hosting a networking dinner after the Road show to showcase Andhra cuisine on an international level and showcasing the state’s cultural dance/music at the road show.

The Indian Government has in the last 18 months invested more than $300m (US Dollars) on developing its tourism infrastructure around the country as it aims for more than 13 million visitors a year by 2020. India is experiencing a 10% annual growth in foreign tourist arrivals this year taking visitor numbers to a projected nine million in 2016.

The Ministry of Tourism will be looking to speak to WTM Buyers’ Club members from its key source markets of the USA, UK, China, Australia, France, and Germany, Canada and Spain as well as the growing markets of South East Asia, the Middle East and Russia.

The key to India’s strategy is also to focus on a variety of products including heritage, cultural, rural, wellness, medical, adventure, and golf. India boasts 32 World Heritage sites including Islamic, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu religious sites, which it will continue to promote alongside its most popular destinations; The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur), Rajasthan, Goa, Kerala, Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and North East.

A special focus is being put on coastal and beach tourism, cruise and eco-tourism. The Government is developing world class infrastructure in its pristine beaches on the West Coast of the country between Mumbai and Kerala and alongside East Coast from Rameshwaram to Visakhapatnam.

World class cruise passenger terminals are being developed to make India a central hub of the global cruise industry. The de-boarding process has been dramatically speeded up to improve the customer experience, while Costa Cruises has recently announced the launch of an itinerary from Mumbai to the Maldives.

WTM London is the event where the travel and tourism industry conducts its business deals. Buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club have a combined purchasing responsibility of £22.6 billion (£15.8bn) and sign deals at the event worth $3.6 billion (£2.5bn). WTM London 2016 will be revamped as a three-day event from Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 November, with opening hours extended from 10am – 7pm for all three days.

About World Travel Market London

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day business-to-business exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry.

Almost 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, embark on ExCeL – London every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM London.

WTM London is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals. WTM London will generate around £2.5 billion of travel industry contracts.WTM London is part of Reed Travel Exhibition’s World Travel Market events, which also includes Arabian Travel Market, World Travel Market Latin America and World Travel Market Africa.  www.wtmworld.com