APTDC unveils new tourism package

To attract more tourists, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Limited (APTDC) will introduce a novel combo tourism package "� 'road-cum-river journey'"� from January 21.

"Many tourists from the Vizag region are showing interest in taking a cruise on the Godavari river and seeing the scenic beauty of Papikondalu. Keeping this in mind, we have designed the road-cum-river package," P Jeevan Prasad, divisional manager, APTDC, told at a press conference here on Wednesday. The package comprises two nights and one-day.

Tourist will be picked up at Vizag and taken to Rajahmundry in a hi-tech bus. At Rajahmundry, tourists can take a house boat, which has a seating capacity of 40 persons, to go to Patiseema, Papikondalu and Perantalapalli. APTDC will provide food and snacks at different venues.

"Initially we will offer the package tour weekly once. Based on the response, we will increase the frequency," Prasad said.

Currently, APTDC Vizag division operates seven tourism packages. This is the eighth package. The corporation is planning to introduce a few more packages during the next fiscal, he said.

Despite a fall in number of tourists, APTDC Vizag division has seen a slight growth in revenue collection during the first nine months of the current fiscal, as compared to the last fiscal of the corresponding period.

Tourists arrivals to Vizag area was severely affected because of heavy rains in the months of October and November, inundation of Vizag airport for more than 15 days and particularly cancellation of trains for several days at Borra and Araku Valley sections, he said.

During last fiscal up to December, 2.64 lakh tourists visited the Borra caves, whereas this fiscal only 2.44 lakh tourists had paid a visit.

In spite of this, the revenue slightly increased to Rs 7.05 crore by December, as compared to Rs 6.64 crore in the previous year.