Vijayawada: The AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation sought unconditional support of the Union govt for the development of various tourism projects across Andhra Pradesh. In this regard, the AP Chambers representatives submitted a representation to Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighting the vast tourism potential of the state. They detailed the support needed from the Centre for the development of tourism in Andhra Pradesh during his visit to Vijayawada on Thursday.In its representation, the AP Chambers urged the Centre to support the following key tourism projects in the state through adequate financial support. The Chambers urged the Union govt to develop a Coastal Beach Corridor between Suryalanka in Bapatla district and Vodarevu in Chirala of Prakasam district as this coastal stretch has immense potential for tourism-driven growth. This 10-km beach stretch is home to 40-50 mid-scale resorts (MSMEs) by local entrepreneurs. However, there is no proper beach road connecting the beaches in the region. The Chambers requested the development of a beach road between Suryalanka and Vodarevu beaches, which has the potential to attract at least another 20 to 25 high-end resorts in this area, making this entire stretch another ‘mini Goa’ like destination in AP.Subsequently, the Union govt has been urged to position and promote Visakhapatnam as the ‘gateway to Andhra Pradesh’ by all modes of promotion, marketing, and publicity by the govt. The Union govt should accord an ‘open sky policy’ for Visakhapatnam international airport with a hub & spoke strategy, which will boost tourist inflow into the state phenomenally. The Centre was also urged to provide beach destination status to Visakhapatnam.Other tourism development projects included the development of Manginapudi beach at Machilipatnam as a ‘beachfront tourism destination’ under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Scheme, in tune with the upcoming development projects in the region, ‘Machilipatnam greenfield port’ and an ultra-modern ‘Machilipatnam fishing harbour’, which will significantly enhance the connectivity and tourism potential of the region.The AP Chambers further pushed the Union govt to secure the UNESCO World Heritage Site tags for Lepakshi Group of Temples, Gandikota Grand Canyon & Fort, Belum Caves, Guntupalli group of monuments, Salihundam group of Buddhist monuments, and others which have the best chances for securing the UNESCO tag from the state.Further, the Chambers urged the govt for the development of “Indrakeeladri-Berm Park-Bhavani Island” as a ‘riverfront mega tourism hub’ in Vijayawada, the development of the ‘Visakhapatnam-Bhimili-Bhogapuram beachfront corridor’ as a ‘mega beachfront Tourism Corridor’, and the development of ‘Godavari riverfront districts’ as a ‘Konaseema agri & rural tourism corridor’ with central financial assistance.
