Hyderabad|India|September'2010:The Chief Minister has asked the Tourism Department and AP Tourism Development Corporation to prepare a master plan for employment-intensive projects to achieve the twin objectives of promoting tourism and creating massive job opportunities both direct and indirect. The Chief Minister said the year 2011 will be observed as ‘Visit Andhra Pradesh' year in recognition of the roll out of dynamic tourist promotion initiatives in the realm of adventure, pilgrimage and beach tourism to attract more international tourists to the State.

The Chief Minister Dr K Rosaiah approved the final draft of the new Tourism Policy after discussions with Tourism Minister Dr. J.Geetha Reddy, Chief Secretary, Mr.S.V.Prasad and Secretary, Tourism, Jayesh Ranjan at camp office today. Dr. Rosaiah will release the new policy on Monday (27.9.2010).

Andhra Pradesh Government proposes to develop a sprawling most modern garden on the lines of Brindavan (Mysore) and Lalbagh (Bengaluru) is likely to come up at Nagarjunasagar. Around 400 acres of land is identified in Nagalvaram village, Macherla Mandal of Guntur District. This place has good connectivity and easy accessibility. The Chief Minister said "I want this park to be both a tourist and an educational destination unique in the entire South India. Wherever possible such employment-intensive tourist projects should be promoted to provide jobs to skilled, unskilled and Poor & illiterate people in rural areas". He said Andhra Pradesh tourism policy is the best in India.

The Chief Minister congratulated the officials of the Tourism Department and APTDC for putting the State on the top of tourist map of the country by achieving record number of tourists at 129 million in 2009-10. He expressed happiness that AP tourism has achieved a 16 per cent growth last year and retained its top position once again. "With the new initiatives and focused tourism policy, I have no doubt that Andhra Pradesh will continue as a preferred destination of both domestic and international tourists and retain its top position ", he said.

The Chief Minister said in recognition of the significance of tourism development on the overall economic growth, the budget allocation has been enhanced to Rs.620 lakhs in 2010-11. He said all efforts will be made to get the release of nearly Rs.25 crore due to the State from the Centre. The officials informed the Chief Minister that as part of its tourism development policy, proposals were being processed for a total of 43 Jalayagnam sites into tourism destinations. They said in the first phase 13 locations have been chosen for promotion of tourist infrastructure. Boating will be provided at a total eight locations of which facilities are already in place in five places (Kadem reservoir, Kandaleru, Somasila, Singoor Dam and Bhavanasi) and facilities are being developed at Gundlakamma, Brahmasagar and Jammulamma cheruvu. Mrs. Geetha Reddy said Helipad and Heli tourism is also being promoted at Puttaparthi and Nagarjunasagar. Proposals by M/s Flytech Aviation Academy and construction of a heliport at Nagarjunasagar are under active consideration. A similar proposal from Lepakshi foundation for heliport at Puttaparthi is also under scrutiny, they said. These measures, according to the Chief Minister, will be in line with the State Government's target to mobilise investments in development of tourism infrastructure to the tune of Rs.1,500 crore in the near future.

Dr.Rosaiah has suggested the Minister to explore all avenues and opportunities to showcase the archeological and architectural wealth of the State besides the nature's gifts like Hill resorts, valleys, water falls, Neolithic period caves and mountain ranges in the State. Objectives of New Tourism Policy is to position the State competitively for attracting private sector investments in Tourism & Hospitality and to give adequate focus to Aam Aadmi Tourism, Rural Tourism, Eco Tourism, Adventure Tourism & Responsible Tourism and to focus on maximum generation of employment in the sector by development of Human Resources through capacity building.

The Chief Minister okayed Incentives & Concessions which are likely to include Concessional Allotment of Land: Lease up to 33 years at 5% of basic value with an incremental provision of 5% every year; Tenure up to 33 years at first instance & first right of refusal and Government will facilitate land assembly. He also approved Reimbursement of Stamp Duty & Transfer Fee: 50% reimbursement for lease & (through Govt. on lease basis); 25% reimbursement for purchase (Private parties) and 70% exemption in previous policy. All pending cases will be cleared under the existing policy before the commencement of the New Policy. The Chief Minister who has already addressed Union Minister for Railways regarding the Southern Splendor Tourist Train Project will take up the issue again with the Centre.

-Sept'2010