A.P. emerging as hub for tourism investments, says Minister

Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a tourism investment hub, focusing on coastal and spiritual tourism growth, assures Minister Durgesh.

Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kadula Durgesh highlighted the vast tourism potential of Andhra Pradesh and assured investors of a business-friendly environment at the 21st Hotel Investment Conference South Asia (HICSA 2026), which concluded in Mumbai on Thursday.

The A.P. delegation, led by the Minister, held high-level discussions with representatives from leading organisations such as Amar Chitra Katha, Shrem Group, Akaar, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Brigade Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, The Oberoi Group, and InterGlobe Enterprises. These discussions focused on strengthening coastal tourism, developing spiritual tourism circuits, and ensuring balanced tourism growth across all regions of the State. The Minister said the State was emerging as a hub of tourism investments.

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Olive Group, involving an investment of approximately ₹500 crore. This partnership is expected to result in the development of over 2,000 hotel rooms across Andhra Pradesh over the next three years, providing a significant boost to the State’s mid-scale and experiential hospitality sector.

The Minister said that tourism will serve as a key growth engine for the State’s economy, with strong support from the Central government. He also highlighted the State’s rich cultural heritage, thriving creative potential, and efforts to expand the film industry.

From the sacred Tirumala temple to the iconic Gandikota canyon, Andhra Pradesh offers diverse and unique tourist experiences, he said, adding that the government aims to elevate these destinations to international standards and establish the State as a global tourism and creative economy hub.