Andhra Pradesh is considering forming a special police force for the safety and security of tourists in the state. “The force would have special police stations for tourists, apart from a round-the-clock call centre and a guidance centre,” Secretary (Tourism and Culture) Neerabh Kumar Prasad informed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during a meeting to finalise the state’s tourism policy. Mr Naidu asked the department to explore whether one ticket for multi-modal transportation for a tourist could be feasible in the state.
Mr Prasad informed Mr Naidu that the department plans to attract Rs.10,000 crore worth investments in the next five years. The Chief Minister said that tourism projects would be treated as industrial ventures and single-desk clearances would be granted to them within 21 days. He also asked the department to explore a policy where special power tariff would be levied for tourism projects, clarifying that they will not be charged commercial rates.
Suggesting that the department should focus on attracting international tourists, Mr Naidu told the officials to get tour operators on board and work with them. He directed the tourism and culture department to work with the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation with respect to the workforce required for the tourism and hospitality sector. “The Tourism and Hospitality University should be able to conduct research on everything relating to these sectors.
