Araku Utsav kicks off highlighting region’s tourism charm

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh tourism and culture minister Kandula Durgesh said that the aim of the coalition government is to showcase the state's tourism potential on the world map. He emphasised that the government is moving ahead with the goal of creating "one tourism job per family" over the next decade. He explained that special centres are being established to integrate Araku's coffee plantations with tourism, benefiting tribal farmers. Programmes are being designed to provide employment to tribals, while new opportunities are being created for the youth through tourism development.He said the Araku Festival will help preserve local culture and accelerate regional development. One of the biggest achievements, he noted, is that tribal youth in Visakha Manyam have converted their homes into income-generating homestays, and local cuisines have gained international recognition. The minister expressed happiness that Andhra's hospitality has now become a "new address" for global tourists.Minister Kandula Durgesh, along with tribal welfare minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani, inaugurated "Araku Utsav-2026" in Araku Valley on Thursday. He also laid the foundation stone for several development works, including Tent City at Lambasingi and homestay expansion at Maredumilli in Polavaram district.On the occasion, minister Durgesh surprised everyone by congratulating ASR district collector Dinesh Kumar in Tamil for excellently organising the Araku Festival. He said Araku is known as "Andhra's Ooty," and the government is working to develop it on par with Tamil Nadu's Ooty. The beauty, charm, valleys, cool breeze, and rich flora of Araku, he said, bring joy to visitors. He added that even a one-day visit to Araku can fill tourists with happiness. He stated that the Araku Festival is a part of the Visakha Utsav.He said deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan will participate in the festival on Friday. Minister Durgesh said their vision is to develop these celebrations into Asia's biggest Sea (Visakhapatnam), Sun (Anakapalli), and Sky (Araku) festivals. He added that the government's goal is to transform the eastern coast of Andhra Pradesh into an international tourist destination.He said Araku will be developed as an eco-friendly tourism hub inspired by the "Jal-Jungle-Jameen" (Water-Forest-Land) concept. The government is undertaking development works in Akhanda Godavari, Gandikota, Suryalanka Beach, Nagarjuna Sagar, Ahobilam, Araku, and Annavaram. Minister Durgesh announced that Borra Caves are being upgraded to international standards with an investment of Rs 29.88 crore under the Centre's Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, which includes modern lighting, flooring, projection mapping, safety railings, parking, visitor amenities, restaurants, souvenir shops, EV buggies, and improved tourist facilities.He said steps are being taken to establish 33 tribal homestays in five villages under the Maredumilli cluster to promote eco-tourism and enhance the living standards of tribal communities. For the first time in the state, a Tent City with 15 geodesic tents is being set up in Lambasingi at a cost of Rs 6.50 crore, and caravan parks are being developed with ₹5 crore through the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.