Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government is marching forward with over 113 projects on hand to promote tourism in the State. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya and officials of the department at Velagapudi on Tuesday. The projects on hand included 75 projects at Rs 3,341 crore that are grounded and another 38 projects at Rs 10,958 crore in the process.

The department told the Chief Minister that the domestic arrival in 2014 was 98 million and has increased to 158.5 million by March 2017. The international arrival has picked up over the years and is now at 3.24 lakhs. The GSDP contribution which was at 6.8 per cent in 2014 had gone up to 7.03 per cent this year.

The department had won three awards at various occasions this year. The officials informed the Chief Minister that they are focusing on infrastructure development and marketing and promotion for the 5 identified hubs in the State.

The department aims at attracting private sector investments worth Rs 2,200 crore for infrastructure development and has prepared a plan to add as many as 1500 rooms at 5 star hotels for the year 2017-18. The tourism department has signed a MoU with a Spanish consultant to design and develop an Oceanarium at Visakhapatnam.

Development of Rayalaseema Religious and Heritage Tourist Circuit in Rayalaseema district, development of Mahayana Buddhist Circuit, development Rajamahendravaram Heritage, Eco and Nature Tourism Circuit, development of Tirupathi temple Town in the State of AP and development of Srisailam Temple Town in the State of AP are some of the proposals submitted to the Central government for consideration.

Buddhism festival, though leadership, Amaravati theatre, Amaravati music and dance show in Amaravati, world spiritual week, crafts Mela, flamingo festival in Tirupati and celebrating A. R Rehman, Konaseema Sankranti, Godavari Dance and Lantern show in Rajamahendravaram are some of the events planned for this year.

Minister for Tourism, Bhuma Akhila Priya made a presentation on the observations made in the department and proposed changes to them. She also proposed some new projects including ‘Street Theater’.

Bhavani Island is a unique gift of nature and is most appropriate to be developed as a major tourist destination. In this context, the government is proposing to develop a fountain and multimedia show on the banks of Bhavani Island to act as catalyst to increase tourist footfall.