World Tourism Day celebrations to be held in Rajamahendravaram on September 27

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh on Wednesday announced that World Tourism Day celebrations on September 27 would be held on a grand scale in Rajamahendravaram, a major tourism and cultural centre in Andhra Pradesh.

At a meeting at the Secretariat with Tourism Department Special Chief Secretary S.S. Rawat and Managing Director Pattan Shetty Ravi Subhash, Mr. Durgesh reviewed the development of tourism in the State and discussed future plans and initiatives.

He said the World Tourism Day celebrations should be conducted in a befitting manner in Rajamahendravaram, which is widely regarded as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh. In view of the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu, he discussed arrangements for setting up tent cities, promoting homestays and improving facilities for pilgrims and tourists.

The Minister directed officials to design new tourism packages and launch promotional campaigns to increase tourist arrivals to the State. He also asked them to organise roadshows in major Indian cities and overseas locations to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s tourist destinations.

Mr. Durgesh emphasised the need to organise festivals and events throughout the year in different parts of the State to promote year-round tourism. He also reviewed the funds sanctioned by the Centre under various schemes and the progress of works taken up with the assistance.

He said the government would soon submit Detailed Project Reports for additional tourism projects to the Centre and make efforts to secure further funding.

The meeting took several decisions aimed at developing Andhra Pradesh as a leading tourism destination in the country. Mr. Durgesh said the growth of the tourism sector would create more employment opportunities for local youth.