AP Tourism to set up chain of budget hotels under BOT basis

Hyderabad, Nov 25 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department will set up a chain of budget hotels in all major towns and cities in the state, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has said.

According to an official release, Dr Reddy, after attending a high-level meeting with the officials of the tourism department here, said the budget hotels, which would be constructed on Build-Operate-Transfer(BOT) basis for a period of 33 years in Public Private Participation(PPP), would have fully air-conditioned rooms, restaurant, tourism kiosk, gym, health club and conference hall.

The meeting also discussed several issues related to new initiatives of the tourism department like development of Ananthagiri Hills and Numismatics Gallery at Hyderabad, Heritage status for Qutub Shahi Tombs and Goldkonda, Eco-Tourism and Medical and Health Tourism.

A science city would be constructed near Budwel at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore and a luxury train named 'Southern Splendour' would be introduced in the state by next year, the release quoted Dr Reddy as saying.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Secretary said five large Public Private Projects had been taken up in the state for an investment of Rs 705 crore and it would generate an annual income Rs 18 crore for the government.

UNI SM DH VP0425