Overview
- Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh disclosed June 19 that Andhra Pradesh has given tourism industry status and signed 117 MoUs worth about ₹20,000 crore, projects the deals will create roughly 1.22 lakh direct and indirect jobs.
- The government has approved permissions for 50 new hotels adding about 9,042 rooms and set a five-year target to create 50,000 rooms through public‑private partnerships to expand hospitality capacity.
- The Centre has sanctioned ₹428 crore for eight flagship sites including Suryalanka Beach, Borra Caves and the Nagarjuna Sagar Buddhist Circuit while the state launched a Beach Protection Force, a homestay portal with 1,855 properties, and tent‑city plans at 21 major temples.
- Cultural and film measures are being fast‑tracked with a new film policy offering shoot incentives, the resumption of the Nandi Awards covering 2025 onward, proposals for district music colleges, and restored artist support schemes.
- Officials say the package is designed to boost visitors and local jobs ahead of the Godavari Pushkaralu in 2027 and Krishna Pushkaralu in 2028, which could test transport, sanitation and local services as millions of pilgrims arrive.