Tirupati to Become Global Tourism Hub with ?12,000 Crore Investments, Says Minister
andhrapradesh | Written by : Suryaa Desk
Tirupati: Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh has announced plans to develop Tirupati as a major “anchor hub” to attract both Indian and international tourists. He made the statement during the Regional Tourism Investors’ Summit held in Tirupati on Friday.
The state government aims to position Tirupati as a new MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. It is also exploring caravan tourism, houseboats, homestays, adventure activities, and experiential centres. Tirupati is further being promoted as a venue for destination weddings.
Highlighting investor confidence, the Minister said nearly ?12,000 crore worth of tourism investments have been secured in the past year. He criticised the previous government for failing to bring in such projects.
Durgesh added that the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) has cleared hospitality projects worth ?3,482 crore. These will create 2,698 new hotel rooms and around 11,645 jobs. Leading hotel chains such as Atmosphere, Novotel, Marriott, and Oberoi have already signed MoUs to set up resorts and hotels near Tirupati.
To encourage investors, the government will provide land, subsidies, and incentives for tourism-related projects, he assured. Tirupati MLA A. Srinivasulu, Sullurpeta MLA Vijayashri, Special Chief Secretary of Tourism Ajay Jain, and other officials were also present at the event.
Key Initiatives Announced:
Homestays: A new policy will soon be approved to promote homestays, especially in traditional houses. The goal is to create 10,000 homestays across the state.
MICE Tourism: Plans to develop facilities similar to Dubai, with possible support from Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including infrastructure for destination weddings.
Eco-Tourism: Focus on eco-friendly travel in the Tirupati region and Seshachalam hills, with activities like trekking and adventure sports.
With these measures, the government hopes to turn Tirupati into a world-class tourism centre, boosting both the local economy and employment.