Andhra opens more land and properties for tourism; encourages private investment.
The state government has given tourism industry status, according to Andhra Pradesh‘s Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography, Kandula Durgesh. He described this as a major step toward boosting investment and development in the sector. He added that the government had implemented policies to promote tent cities, homestays, job development, and increased private involvement in tourism initiatives.
Land and properties with tourism potential are being made available for development by the government. The Chief Minister has instructed that land under other departments may be taken into consideration for tourism projects where appropriate, and the minister claims that government-owned land parcels have been placed in the public domain.
The state is pushing for a variety of lodging and experience options, including tent cities, heritage buildings, and homestays. According to Durgesh, traditional residences in rural, tribal, plain, and backwater areas might be converted into homestays, generating both tourism and chances for local subsistence. Along with plans for tent cities, a specific homestay policy has been implemented in an effort to provide guests with unique lodging and experiences.
Another important goal is creating jobs. According to the minister, the government has implemented an employment-generation program that would provide government support to tourism ventures that generate more jobs. Investment is already starting to come in as a result of the policy effort. Through 117 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) under the AP Tourism Policy 2024-29, Andhra Pradesh has drawn almost INR 20,000 crore in tourism investments.
Andhra is concentrating more on weddings, beach tourism, adventure travel, and religious travel while a city convention bureau in Vizag is being explored. While coastal sites like Suryalanka are experiencing tremendous expansion due to increased road access from Hyderabad, destination weddings in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati have been identified as growing opportunities. Additionally, tourism is booming in locations like Gandikota and Araku.
In terms of numbers, domestic tourist arrivals in the state increased by 17.7% in 2025–2026, from 28 crore to 36 crore. By the end of this year, it is anticipated to rise from number four to number two in terms of domestic arrivals.
In addition to investigating prospects surrounding its natural landscapes and maritime assets, the state is looking to diversify its tourism portfolio through spiritual, cultural, wellness, yoga, and Ayurvedic tourism. According to the minister, private investors are already stepping up to use public-private partnership methods to carry out tourism-related projects.
The tourism minister also directly urged tour operators to go beyond the state’s well-known pilgrimage sites and assist in the development and promotion of a broader tourism basket ahead of the recently finished 41st IATO Annual Convention, which was held in Visakhapatnam. Durgesh emphasised that although the state could provide many of the experiences found throughout India, greater market access and exposure were needed to turn that promise into a real tourism movement.
The minister views the convention as a chance for the tourism industry to shift from policy debates to product development. He urged IATO members to travel around Andhra Pradesh, take in its offerings, and collaborate with the administration to develop a workable plan for bringing the state’s tourism products to both domestic and foreign markets.
