APTDC to launch tourism promotional activities

Chennai, July 28: Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is planning to launch a whole range of new promotional activities to market its rich tourism potential.

Addressing a press conference here today, APTDC Joint Director M Balasubramania Reddy said the APTDC was planning to market the tourist destinations like heritage sights, hill stations, pilgrim centres and cultural landmarks in Andhra Pradesh.

''Andhra Pradesh has shown tremendous growth in areas like Pharma industry, Biotechnology and Information Technology. Recently the state realised that it has a huge potential in tourism sector and has launched a number of activities and programmes to promote it,'' Mr Reddy said.

The foreign visitors were impressed by the rich cultural heritage like the 400-year-old Charminar and 700-year-old Golconda Fort.

''In fact the state did not have a World Heritage Monument. We are trying to get a World Heritage Status for the Golconda Fort from UNESCO,'' Mr Reddy said.

There was a huge of inflow of tourists from Sri Lanka to 152 Buddhist sites in the state and the Sri Lankan airlines had started a daily flight service to Hyderabad, Mr Reddy said.

Mr Reddy said at present there were no sufficient hotels to cater to the needs of increasing number of tourists.

''In another two years, around 25 star hotels will be launched in the state and good hotel chains are coming forward to start new projects,'' he said.

A Cruise Tourism project was on the anvil, which would connect Vizag, Chennai, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Kerala, Mr Reddy added.

UNI