Tourism policy, Miss World, investment commitments of ₹22,000 crore define Telangana Tourism in 2025

The Telangana tourism sector witnessed a year of policy-led reforms, global events and fresh investment momentum in 2025, with the State positioning itself as a tourism hub spanning culture, heritage, medical, film and eco-tourism. These details were revealed by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) in its Annual Report 2025, released on Wednesday (December 31). The report also laid out an action plan for 2026.

A major development for Telangana Tourism in 2025 was the rollout of the Telangana Tourism Policy 2025–2030, which seeks to drive holistic and sustainable growth through public-private partnerships, institutional reforms and destination-level planning. The policy envisages the creation of 27 Special Tourism Areas (STAs) across the State, supported by Destination Management Organisations to generate employment and strengthen local economies.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy along with Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Tourism Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan and Managing Director of Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Valluru Kranthi at the Telangana Rising Global Summit in Bharat Future City.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

With the State hosting Miss World 2025, with 110 contestants visiting tourist and heritage destinations across the State, the event served as a high-impact promotional platform, projecting Hyderabad as a safe, friendly and globally competitive destination for both tourism and investment.

Tourism reforms were further pushed through the Tourism Conclave, held around World Tourism Day, where the State secured investment commitments worth ₹15,279 crore across 30 projects. These projects, spanning hospitality, eco-tourism and riverfront development, are expected to generate nearly 50,000 jobs.

Among key initiatives launched during the year were the Film-in-Telangana portal and the Medical Value Tourism (MVT) platform, aimed at positioning the State as a film-friendly destination and a reliable, affordable healthcare hub for domestic and international patients. Telangana also entered into a cooperation agreement with the Netherlands-India Chamber of Commerce and Trade to promote culinary and experiential tourism, alongside the launch of a Culinary Accelerator and a culinary map of the State.

Safety and visitor experience received renewed focus with the deployment of over 80 specially trained Tourist Police personnel at key destinations. Since becoming fully operational in October 2025, the Tourist Police have handled multiple rescue and assistance cases at sites such as Golconda Fort, Charminar and Ramappa Temple.

On the investment front, tourism also featured prominently at the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, where commitments worth ₹7,045 crore were secured through around 10 projects, with an estimated employment potential of 40,000 jobs.

The year also brought national and international recognition. The Bathukamma festival earned two Guinness World Records in September 2025 for the tallest floral Bathukamma arrangement at 19.44 metres and the largest Telangana folk dance performance involving 1,354 women.

In terms of physical infrastructure, 123 State tourism projects were initiated, of which 78 have been completed and 47 are under progress. Central government-supported projects worth ₹275 crore are under way at destinations, including Ananthagiri Hills, Bhongir Fort, Buddhavanam, Ramappa circuit, Nizam Sagar and Balkampet Yellamma Temple, covering eco-tourism zones, experiential centres and temple amenities, the report said.

For 2026, the Tourism department has outlined an agenda that includes grounding of PPP projects, unveiling of destination master plans, completion of pending central projects, upgradation of Haritha Hotels, operationalisation of heli-tourism, expansion of medical tourism, hosting of multiple conclaves and investor summits, and intensified national and international branding.