CII suggests steps to make Vizag tourist hotspot

Visakhapatnam: The new State of Andhra Pradesh has huge potential to become a tourist hotspot of India considering its longest coastline and the city of Visakhapatnam could be developed as one of the favourite tourist destinations in India. Towards this, a Visakhapatnam Tourist Board should be set up, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) AP chapter has suggested.

The Indian tourism sector has become one of the major sectors contributing a large proportion of the national income and generating huge employment opportunities. It has become the fastest growing service industry in the country with great potential for further expansion and diversification. In this context, the CII AP chapter is presenting its perspectives and suggestions to the new government, suggesting development of Visakhapatnam as a tourism destination in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The CII has listed some potential areas for tourism promotion and investment in Visakhapatnam which includes setting up of Science Museum, planetarium and observatory, leisure tourism: developing golf courses; zoo promotion, aquariums and underwater rides, beach tourism, establishment of theme parks, spiritual tourism: connecting the entire coast pilgrim centres and Buddhist tourist spots and improvement of essential facilities at all the pilgrim centres across Andhra Pradesh.

It also suggested preserving and promoting historic sites such as Erramatti Dibbalu and Borra Caves, glass coaches train to Araku, introduction of ‘Palace on Wheels’ train to connect the important tourist spots of Andhra Pradesh, nature camps – forest tours; trekking, developing a medicinal garden at Araku.

Also, sports tourism could be developed by establishing infrastructure to organise national and international events such as water sports; inland and sea-based yachting events, etc. Other measures include improving air connectivity and development of world-class infrastructure facilities at the Visakhapatnam Airport, commissioning of tourism projects in Visakhapatnam-Bhimili mega beach corridor circuit and setting up a tourism training centre where tourist guides are imparted training and upgrading their language skills, besides training cooks on national and international culinary arts.

“The CII is committed to working with the government in promoting trade and investment in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Tourism sector offers huge opportunities for the economic development of this region. We hope that the government would consider our suggestions and make Visakhapatnam one of the most preferred tourism destinations in India,” CII member and convenor of Vizag Development Council O Naresh Kumar said.