AP Govt to hold PATA conference from Sep 16

Hyderabad, Jan 29: The Andhra Pradesh Government will organise Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Conference from September 16 to 19 in the city.

According to an official release here, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy took the decision at a review meeting chaired by him in which the State Tourism Minister A Ramnarayana Reddy and officials concerned participated.The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to make the conference a success by making fool-proof arrangements.

Around 1,500 delegates representing tour operators, travel agents, hotel chains and airports were expected to attend the event.

The event would provide an excellent opportunity to the State Government to showcase the rich cultural heritage and popularise important tourist destinations of the country in general and the State in particular.

Another important decision taken in the meeting was to recast Southern Splendour Express Luxury Tourist Train Project by accepting the change in policy of the Railways from revenue sharing to payment of haulage charges.

It also agreed to enhance the project cost from Rs 35 crore to Rs 50 crore. The Chief Minister would write to the Railways Ministry for early sanction of the project.

Dr Reddy also agreed to incorporate certain changes to the AP Tourism Policy 2006 for providing subsidy for construction of hotels.

UNI