APTDC to make state top tourist destination

Vijayawada: Newly appointed chairman of the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC), Dr Nukasani Balaji, vowed to make Andhra Pradesh top tourist destination in the country.Dr Balaji was speaking after taking charge as APTDC chairman here on Saturday and said that the corporation will strive to create best infrastructure in tourist places to attract more tourists from across the globe. He further took stock of the activities being taken up by the corporation. Speaking to TOI, Dr Balaji said that infrastructure even in famous tourist places in the state was completely neglected during the YSRCP regime. "Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu created wonderful assets in tourist places within a short span during 2014-19. I was shocked to know that none of the facilities were in a position to manage due to the gross negligence of YSRCP govt. The footfall of tourists has witnessed a drastic fall in the last five years due lack of facilities," he said. He said that they would review situation with field level officials next week and submit a detailed report to the state govt and added that they would take up renovation of the existing guest houses apart from taking up works on new guest houses in tourist places after taking the chief minister's approval. He said that they would also rope in private players to manage assets in tourist places which would help the state attract investment as well as create employment. "Tourism is the biggest source to create employment. With second longest coast in the country, AP has wonderful opportunity to make it the biggest tourism attraction," said Dr Balaji. Besides beach tourism, AP could also be a big tourist attraction on the religious tourism front with the presence of many historical temples and Buddhist tourist places. He hit out at the previous govt for neglecting tourist spots like Bhavani Island on the outskirts of Vijayawada and added that facilities available in Bhavani Islands were left unattended without basic maintenance works. "I will take the support of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan and tourism minister Kandula Durgesh to transform the fortunes of APTDC," he said.
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