Andhra Pradesh is looking at popularising virtual tours of various important tourist destinations in the state keeping with the demand for virtual tourism. The state is also exploring the development of rural tourism, amusement parks and adventure sports while ensuring a seamless connectivity of the destinations from all major airports.

Addressing a virtual interactive session with members of the national tourism committee of FICCI, Rajat Bhargava, Special Chief Secretary (Tourism and Culture), said though hotels and other tourism establishments have reopened after the coronavirus-induced lockdown, the footfall of tourists was not very encouraging.

He said an aggressive marketing push was required for quick revival for the state&rsquos tourism. &ldquoThe path to revival (of tourism) will involve building a perception of safe tourism in the minds of the tourists. Adjoining states will have to work together to ensure free flow of tourists across borders,&rdquo he pointed out. A coordinated effort between the central government, state governments, tourism bodies, travel and tour operators and hospitality industry was essential for this, he added. 

Bhargava said that Andhra Pradesh had the potential to develop coastline and position itself as a luxury beach tourism destination, and the state is preparing a new tourism policy that would not only be flexible and aggressive but would also address several issues regarding mega tourism projects.

The tourism department has found certain high potential locations for the development of hotels and luxury resorts, he said.

The FICCI officials said that the development of required infrastructure was vital to capture the emerging opportunities in the tourism sector. They also wanted tax benefits and infrastructure subsidies apart from congenial regulations for development of beach shacks, MICE and other tourist facilities to facilitation greater participation of the private sector.