Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao along with Chairman of Telangana Tourism Development Corporation Patel Ramesh Reddy and Managing Director Valluru Kranthi during the workshop in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Placing a two-way cultural exchange between rural and urban Telangana at the heart of the State’s tourism roadmap, Minister for Tourism and Culture Jupally Krishna Rao on Tuesday (December 30) outlined a strategy aimed at reimagining tourism as a shared cultural experience rather than a one-directional showcase.
Addressing a workshop titled Tourism and Its Vision – 2026, organised by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) in Hyderabad, the Minister said that Telangana must move decisively towards global benchmarks in hospitality, innovation and visitor experience if it is to emerge as an international tourism destination by 2026.
Explaining the proposed model, the Minister said tourists from within the country and abroad should be introduced to the lifestyles, cuisines and traditions of rural and tribal communities, allowing them to engage with local cultures in a meaningful way. In parallel, rural and tribal populations would be encouraged to experience the State’s urban transformation through guided visits to heritage landmarks and historic sites, along with exposure to metropolitan life, including public transport systems such as the Metro Rail.
“This exchange-driven approach would help bridge social and cultural divides while ensuring that tourism benefits were shared more equitably across regions,” the Minister added.
He also called for the development of a new pool of well-trained, multilingual tourist guides to overcome language barriers and improve visitor interaction.
Published – December 30, 2025 08:18 pm IST
