Andhra Pradesh to have special police force for security of tourists    

Hyderabad, Apr 28: Andhra Pradesh would form a special police force for the safety and security of tourists in the state.

The force would have special police stations for tourists, apart from a round-the-clock call centre and a guidance centre, Secretary (Tourism and Culture) Neerabh Kumar Prasad informed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a meeting to finalise state's tourism policy.

Naidu asked the department to explore whether one ticket for multi-modal transportation for a tourist could be feasible in the state, according to an official release.

Prasad informed Naidu that the department plans to attract Rs 10,000 crore worth investments in next five years.

The CM said that tourism projects would be treated as industrial ventures and single-desk clearances would be granted to them within 21 days.

He asked the department to explore a policy where special power tariff would be levied for tourism projects, clarifying that they will not be charged commercial rates.

Suggesting the department to focus on attracting international tourists, Naidu told the officials to get tourist operators on board and work with them.

He directed the tourism and culture department to work with AP State Skill Development Corporation with respect to workforce required for the tourism and hospitality sector.

"The Tourism and Hospitality University should be able to conduct research on everything relating to these sectors. Water sports, beach tourism, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, caravan tourism, heli-tourism and other opportunities should be explored. It should also cater to the needs of hospitality sector and train people in cooking, bartending, tourist guides, drivers, etc," the Chief Minister said.

Emphasising on the need to promote Telugu culture, Naidu suggested that Kuchipudi and other local, tribal art forms and dances could be promoted through various carnivals held on a massive scale.

PTI