Ashok Gajapathi Raju: A.P. has large tourism potential:

Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday said Andhra Pradesh is poised to become a big tourism hub of India due to proactive policies being pursued by the State Government.

Union Minister for Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu participated in the discussion on Tourism in Andhra Pradesh – An economic change agent, at CII-Partnership Summit on Tuesday.

At the Summit on the third and concluding day the Union Minister said that the State had wide scope for investment in religious tourism, in addtion to heritage, medical and adventure tourism.

Besides improving the connectivity, the State Government was acquiring land for developing a greenfield airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram District, which will give a big push to the tourism sector.

Tourism sector has so far attracted 26 MoUs at the summit with proposed investment of Rs. 4,659 crore. Mr. Raju said the country needs a world-class international airport like that of Hyderabad, Bangalore, and New Delhi.

A heritage tour circuit can be thought of as Visakhapatnam has many Buddhist stupas, oldest municipality Bheemunipatnam (second in the country after Surat) Borra Caves, and other attractions for bringing in foreigners and those from other states of the country.