On March 25, 2026, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid out an ambitious plan to position the state as a premier tourism destination in India. In a detailed review meeting held at his camp office in Vijayawada, Mr. Naidu emphasized the urgent need to expand and diversify the state’s tourism infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of visitors and to unlock the sector’s full potential. His vision reflects a broad strategy that includes enhancing accommodation options, promoting innovative travel experiences, and developing key tourist sites with modern amenities.
Central to Mr. Naidu’s roadmap is the diversification of tourism facilities through the introduction of novel modes of travel and leisure. He highlighted the promotion of houseboats, heli-tourism, and seaplane services as key areas of focus under the government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The Chief Minister specifically mentioned plans to establish water aerodromes at strategic locations such as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Srisailam, and Gandikota. These initiatives aim to provide unique travel experiences and improve accessibility to tourist hotspots, thereby attracting both domestic and international travelers. Additionally, cruise tourism is being explored, with proposals for services from the Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam ports, which could open up new avenues for coastal tourism in the state.
In terms of accommodation, Mr. Naidu made it clear that the state government intends to significantly increase hotel capacity to meet rising demand. He urged the Tourism Department to facilitate the entry of leading national and international hotel brands into key tourist destinations across Andhra Pradesh. Recognizing the growing popularity of homestays as a personalized accommodation option, the Chief Minister stressed that there should be no restrictions on establishing homestays, particularly in areas expected to see high visitor footfall. This flexible approach is aimed at encouraging local entrepreneurship and providing travelers with a wider range of lodging choices.
To further boost the state’s appeal, Mr. Naidu called for the development of amusement parks in major tourist centers like Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. These family-friendly attractions are expected to enhance the overall visitor experience and increase the length of tourist stays. The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of fast-tracking projects that have already received clearance from the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), urging officials to expedite their implementation to capitalize on the current momentum in the tourism sector.
With the significant religious event of Godavari Pushkaralu approaching, Mr. Naidu highlighted the need for large-scale development of homestays in Rajamahendravaram to accommodate the influx of pilgrims and tourists. He recommended introducing a structured rating system to ensure quality standards in accommodation and services. Moreover, he proposed setting up tent cities to provide convenient and affordable lodging options during the festival, thereby enhancing the overall management of the event and visitor comfort.
The Chief Minister also outlined plans to develop several key tourist sites into major hubs. Gandikota, known for its historic fort, along with Suryalanka Beach and the Borra Caves, renowned for their natural beauty, were identified as focal points for tourism development. To this end, he set clear deadlines for the completion of works at the Godavari Pushkar ghats by August 2026 and for opening the historic Havelock Bridge to tourists by December of the same year. These projects are expected to improve infrastructure, promote heritage tourism, and create new attractions for visitors.
To cater to adventure and nature enthusiasts, Mr. Naidu suggested establishing caravan parks in scenic locations such as Araku Valley, Chintapalli, and Maredumilli. These parks would offer unique outdoor experiences and encourage eco-tourism in environmentally sensitive areas. He emphasized the need for close coordination between the forest and endowments departments to balance tourism development with conservation and religious site management. Furthermore, the Chief Minister called for the timely completion of projects under the PRASAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) and Swadesh Darshan schemes by May 2026. These centrally sponsored schemes aim to develop pilgrimage and theme-based tourist circuits with world-class infrastructure.
To ensure effective implementation of this comprehensive tourism strategy, Mr. Naidu ordered the formation of a special tourism committee headed by the Chief Secretary. This committee will facilitate coordination among various departments such as tourism, forest, police, and marine services, ensuring a unified approach to tourism development and management. The establishment of this committee indicates a commitment to overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and stream