APTDC mulls package tours via sea

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is chalking out plans to introduce package tours between Vizag and Kakinada, and Chennai and Andaman via the sea route.

Inaugurating the Rs 1.8-crore conference hall and restaurant at Rushikonda Tourism Cottage Complex on the city outskirts on Friday, Anjaneya Reddy, chairman and managing director of APTDC, said: "We have already sent a proposal to the state government regarding this coastal tourism package. Once the government approves the proposal, APTDC will start operating the coastal tourism package tours between Vizag and Kakinada, and, Chennai and Andaman."

"In a bid to attract foreign tourists to Visakhapatnam, APTDC is planning to construct seaside resorts comprising 150 rooms at Rushikonda beach area. The government is also studying feasabilities of running charted flights from European countries to Vizag to promote coastal tourism," he said.

Reddy said that APTDC is planning to construct another 40 rooms in Rushikonda area in addition to the existing 36 tourism cottages.

"APTDC is also planning to construct 60 rooms at Mayuri guesthouse with an investment of Rs 4.5 crore to provide better facilities to tourists at Araku Valley," he said.