Telangana is planning to spend Rs 350 crore in the next 3-4 years to strengthen infrastructure here as it aims at brand building to attract tourists to the country's youngest state.
"Telangana came into being in August last year. So first we formed a new tourism corporation and we have to build our brand. We are looking at spending over Rs 350 crore in next 3-4 years to strengthen our infrastructure and develop new tourism destinations that will attract travellers not only from our own country but also appeal to overseas visitors," Tourism and Culture Principle Secretary P B Acharya told PTI here.
To celebrate the formation of the 29th state, the government of Telangana is hosting week-long festivities commencing from today.
The government is planning to hold events covering all fields from literature to music, in all districts, states, municipalities and municipal corporations for the entire week.
"This celebration also aims to help build our brand as a tourism destination and showcase our culture and cuisine," Acharya said.
He said the state is in talks with Maharashtra to collaborate on packages to Shirdi and Nanded for religious tourism and Kerala for Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple.
"We are also looking at joint packages for Buddist circuits with Maharashtra," he added.
The state is also looking at developing new destinations like Adilabad for eco-tourism and Warangal, which is rich with history, culture and nature, Acharya said.
"We are also developing Bhadrachalam, a Hindu pilgrimage town situated on the banks of Godavari river, as a Ramayana circuit," he said.
Acharya said the state is looking at converting business travellers into leisure tourists.
"We get a lot of business travellers from across the world and from within the country. We want to appeal to these business travellers, so that they extend their stay to explore the state," he added.
