Year long Holiday in AP campaign launched
Guntur: The Andhra Pradesh government has launched the 'Holiday in Andhra Pradesh' campaign, a year-long initiative aimed at encouraging domestic travel, retaining tourism spending within the State, and creating livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The launch brought together an estimated 45 participants in person, including representatives from tour operators, hotels, travel agencies, event management firms, and media organisations. Another 220 joined virtually, comprising industry partners, members of the global Telugu diaspora, and digital content creators, signalling wide engagement across geographies.
A poster on the campaign was unveiled at the AP Secretariat in Guntur by Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh, in the presence of Special Chief Secretary for Tourism and Culture Ajay Jain, APTDC Chairman Dr. Nukasani Balaji, and a cross-section of industry stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, Special Chief Secretary Ajay Jain said the session was designed to bring key players from the tourism ecosystem together to jointly shape the future of the sector in Andhra Pradesh. Minister Durgesh described the campaign as more than a promotional exercise, calling it a movement to encourage citizens to rediscover the State's cultural heritage, natural diversity, and cuisine, while ensuring that tourism revenue stays within Andhra Pradesh.
The campaign will highlight the State's established attractions such as the hill landscapes of Araku Valley, the rock formations of Gandikota, the spiritual centre of Tirupati, and the backwaters of Konaseema, alongside emerging segments including culinary tourism, destination weddings, and MICE ' Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. The Minister urged hotels and tour operators to review tariffs and create special packages to attract more visitors, and stressed the role of corporate social responsibility initiatives in improving basic facilities and infrastructure at tourist sites.
He also called on stakeholders to facilitate visits by at least five Non-Resident Telugu families to the State and to promote Andhra Pradesh through their networks. Recognising the reach of digital platforms, the Minister emphasised the importance of influencers and the Telugu diaspora acting as ambassadors for the State's tourism offerings. Andhra Pradesh's network of airports, he noted, provides a logistical advantage for improving accessibility for travellers.
The government has invited written suggestions from industry participants, to be sent to http://pr.communications2023@gmail.com, which will inform a comprehensive action plan to be rolled out over the next year. The Minister reiterated that safety remains the top priority and underlined the campaign's reliance on long-term vision and inter-departmental collaboration. An audio-visual showcasing the campaign's theme was released during the event.
Prominent industry figures including Komati Jayaram from the United States and Subhash Goyal participated online. The government said it will also undertake targeted outreach to the global Telugu diaspora to encourage advocacy for Andhra Pradesh tourism on international platforms. With the 'Holiday in Andhra Pradesh' campaign, the State aims to build a vibrant and inclusive tourism ecosystem that supports economic growth, cultural pride, and sustainable employment across its regions.
|
