In an effort to portray Andhra Pradesh as a global tourism destination, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department Principal Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad took part n BITE 2015-16 in China.
During his visit, Prasad had meetings with the Buddhist Association of China which has expressed deep interest in visiting Amaravati, Nagarjuna Konda and other Buddhist Sites in Andhra Pradesh.
Highlighting the potential of Andhra Pradesh as a tourist destination, Prasad said that the main sites promoted the Beaches in and around Vizag, the Hill stations, the backwaters of Kakinada, Konaseema, the Hope Island & the Coringa Mangroves, and also the Budhist circuits linking Amaravati and Nagarjuna Konda.
“Our upcoming Buddhist circuits will attract both domestic and international tourists. Amaravati’s ancient connection with Buddhism raises its prospects of becoming a global city,” he said.
Prasad also highlighted the government’s elaborate plans to promote Water sports, beach tourism, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, caravan tourism and heli-tourism. “With various beaches, hilltops, abundant flora and fauna, we will ensure that the beauty of these places is restored, without polluting them.”
Apart from this, Prasad also had discussions with Tour operators of China, who have evinced interest in bringing Chinese tourists to India. “We have had fruitful discussions with them and we want to take this forward and make them Andhra Pradesh experts, who would bring more number of tourists to the state of Andhra Pradesh,” Prasad added.(NSS)