Tourism gets a major boost in Andhra

Forget Kumarkonam. Konaseema in East Godavari district is the latest hotspot going by the number of tourists the region is attracting.

The backwaters of Godavari in the lush green Konaseema, also called the Kerala of Andhra, is not just drawing people from Andhra but also visitors from West Bengal and other states.

Seeing the heavy influx of tourists here, the department of tourism has raised its budget to spruce up the place. The tourism department is investing nearly Rs10 crore in various tourism plans to woo tourists integrating at both Konaseema and the Araku valley. Apart from this, it is also developing various other places and is also encouraging package tours.

At Dhindi, a coconut resort has been developed in an area of 10 acres. Several tourist cottages and a swimming pool have been developed in the backdrop of nature's pristine beauty "� all at a cost of Rs 3 crore. As many as 40 cottages are being built at the coconut resort.

Four air-conditioned houseboats cruise between Ravulapalem and Dhindi and three more boats will be pressed into service to cater to the increasing demand of the tourists in another three months, Jeevan Prasad, divisional manager, AP Tourism Development Corporation, told Business Standard. A proposal for around 70 more houseboats have been sent, Prasad added.

Currently, a vehicle takes the tourists from Rajahmundry to Dhindi village. The department had been requested for four more such vehicles for the Rajahmundry unit to cater to the tourists' rush mostly from West Bengal. A couple can reserve a room in a houseboat, which has two well furnished air-conditioned rooms, at a cost of Rs 2,520.

The houseboats cruising on Godavari cover Dhindi, peak Annavaram, Narsapuram and Shivakodu island. The Shivakodu island has five Swiss cottages well-furnished with a base kitchen.

The department has spent Rs 1 crore on the houseboats. As part of the integrated tourism development, tourist resorts are being developed by a private party on the banks of Godavari in an area of five acres at Rajahmundry.

Development plans costing Rs 5 crore include amusement parks, water park with water boats, swimming pool, restaurants and a function hall. The resorts will be inaugurated by October 2005.

Besides, the department of tourism is planning to build a star hotel on the banks of Godavari.