Minister wants Andhra Pradesh to be on top of Indian tourism map

J. Geeta Reddy has lofty ideas to put Andhra Pradesh on top of India's tourism map and persuade both Indian and international visitors to make the state the first stop on their itinerary.

Reddy, the Andhra Minister for Tourism and Sugar, is a medical doctor turned politician who puts no spin on her words and believes deeds should speak for themselves.

The state has increased its budget allocation to the tourism sector by 20 per cent. "This itself says a lot. Tourism, in fact, is being taken very seriously."

Reddy was in Dubai en route to Iran and Egypt. In an exclusive interview, she told Gulf News that tourism in the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is poised to leapfrog in the next few months "as our air connectivity has gone up".

She agreed the state has not marketed itself as it should have. However, she said: "We have gone into a major publicity blitz and have empanelled very big names in advertising for consultancy."

At the same time she is elated that the World Tourism Organisation has resolved to make Hyderabad the Most-Preferred Destination in the country.

"The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Andhra Pradesh tourism is unity in diversity. We have something to offer everyone. We have heritage tourism, cultural tourism, spiritual tourism, medical tourism, eco tourism and adventure tours," she said.

Hyderabad is the most happening city not only for information technology but also tourism, she said.

The city is becoming the medical hub of the country, she added. "We can offer world-class treatment at a lower cost. This is one point of attraction for people from the Middle East and the GCC states."

The city is famous for its culture, which is mainly Islamic. Hyderabad retains much of its old world charm. The people, too, still display the age-old traditions for which Hyderabad is renowned: Tehzeeb (courtesy) and Mehmaanawazi (hospitality.)

In view of burgeoning tourism, the minister said the state was making all efforts to strengthen the infrastructure facilities.

"We are coming up with big investment opportunities. We want people from all over the world to invest in private hotels, resorts, shopping malls and multiplexes.

"We have world-class hotels, but we still need a lot more because Andhra Pradesh has lined up several major events in the coming years.

"To cope with all this we are striving to complete work on the new international airport at Shamshabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad," Reddy said.

The minister said the state has joined hands with four other southern states to further boost tourism.

Southern Splendour, a luxury train on the lines of the Palace on Wheels, connecting key tourist places in south India will be ready by the end of next year, she said.

With a very competitive tariff structure, the new initiative covering all five southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry) will become a major tourist landmark in the country.