TOURISM

Tourism plays a major role in the economy of any state, Andhra Pradesh is no exception. The tourism industry helps on two fronts : (1) bringing in the revenue and (2) in generating employment.

The first role of the tourism industry as one raking in revenue is better known. However, its role as a major employer is not so well known.

The tourism industry generates large-scale employment. The labour to capital ratio for tourism sector is one the highest : each million-rupee investment creates jobs for 48 people compared to 45 in agriculture and 13 in manufacturing. In addition, the tourism sector has high employment multipliers. In India, direct development due to tourism, in terms of employment, is 8.5 million. These many individuals are totally employed in the tourism industry. Apart from these, nearly 20 million are also supported by this industry by way of indirect employment.

As has been stressed earlier, tourism is also a large foreign exchange earner : the industry is the third largest foreign exchange earner in the country after jewellery and ready-made garments.

Endowed with a wide spectrum of tourism locations ranging from historical and religious sites to natural attractions like beaches, our state is poised to achieve better economic growth by capitalising on its tourist spots. There is no doubt the state has tremendous unexploited potential. With its rare variety of ancient temples, modern projects, beautiful lakes, picturesque waterfalls, hill resorts, scenic rocks, forests and sanctuaries, it could offer an unforgettable experience to any discerning tourist-be it a domestic or international tourist.

To mention a few of the remarkable historical sites - visits to Golkonda fort, Charminar and Nizam's Palace in Hyderabad could be memorable experiences. For the religious pilgrim we have Tirupati, Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati. Our state also has a vast coastal line with its share of beaches like those near Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam.

The state has identified the following four areas as special tourism areas for intensive investment and development under the private sector.

  1. Hyderabad and surrounding areas.
  2. Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas.
  3. Tirupathi and its surrounding areas.
  4. Nagarjunakonda and surrounding Buddhist centres.

To provide the tourists with good quality facilities, the tourism department is maintaining tourist rest houses at Ethipothala, Ramappa, Dharmapuri, Srisailam, Lepakshi, Mahanandi, Ahobilam, Tupilapalem, Mypadu, Alampur, Kakinada, Kailasanathakona, Kandimallayyapalli, Bhadrachalam, Timmamma- Marrimanu and Pillalamarri.

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