AP govt invites investors to set up Disney World-like theme parks

Vijayawada: Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh on Friday told the legislative assembly that the govt is ready to extend full support for establishing world-class theme parks and entertainment facilities in Andhra Pradesh.Responding to a question from Prathipadu MLA Burla Ramanjaneyulu on a proposal to set up a Disney World-like project on 171 acres at Karnuthala village in Vatticherukuru mandal, Guntur district, the minister said the govt would facilitate the project if private investors come forward.Durgesh explained that mega projects such as Disney World or Universal Studios typically require investments of ₹35,000–₹60,000 crore. Globally, such ventures are developed and operated by private companies, while govt provides land, permissions, and policy incentives.He noted that the average spending capacity of Indian tourists is around ₹20,000–₹21,000, lower than international standards. Still, the state is working to create conditions for world-class projects. He pointed out that Disney and Universal Studios are located in global metros such as Orlando, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Paris, and Shanghai, where demand and tourist inflow justify such investments.To attract major investments, Andhra Pradesh has accorded industrial status to tourism under the AP Tourism Policy 2024–29. The policy offers incentives including capital investment subsidies up to ₹40 crore, 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, waiver of land-use conversion charges, reimbursement of power costs, and SGST reimbursement for 7–15 years. Additional incentives cover EPF and ESI contributions, with special packages for mega projects.Durgesh said the department has held discussions with operators such as Imagicaa and Wonderla, which run parks in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. These companies expressed interest in projects at Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. The state has also promoted opportunities through international roadshows and forums like ITB Berlin, Arabian Travel Market, and World Travel Mart, besides national events. At the recent Visakha Partnership Summit, the department signed 102 MoUs worth ₹18,448 crore, including three related to theme parks.Durgesh reiterated that if investors come forward to develop a Disney World-like park at Karnuthala, the govt will extend full cooperation, in line with chief minister Chandrababu Naidu's directive to encourage tourism investments.