Overview
- Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh says 117 companies committed Rs 30,000 crore in 20 months, with 1.22 lakh jobs reported after the state recognized tourism as an industry.
- The Centre approved Rs 428 crore for eight projects and cleared seven anchor hubs and 25 thematic circuits spanning temple, beach, river cruise, eco-tourism, sea cruise and seaplane routes.
- Houseboat services have begun at eight locations, Cordelia Cruise now links Visakhapatnam–Rajamahendravaram–Puducherry, and the Centre assured viability-gap funding for seaplane tourism.
- The two-phase ‘Volunteer Yatra’ campaign drew more than nine million views and over 1,000 booking inquiries through influencer-generated videos highlighting destinations and Sankranti festivities.
- Building on the campaign, the Tourism Department plans collaborations to develop Art Villages and expand homestays, while Hyatt, Taj, Marriott and Mayfair are among hotel chains expressing interest.