AP to treat tourism projects as industrial ventures: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said tourism projects would be treated as industrial ventures and single-desk clearances granted to them within 21 days.
He asked the Tourism Department to explore a policy where special power tariff would be levied for tourism projects, clarifying that they will not be charged commercial rates, according to an official release.
Suggesting the department to focus on attracting international tourists, Naidu told officials during a meeting yesterday to finalise the tourism policy, to get tourist operators on board and work with them.
He directed the Tourism and Culture Department to work with AP State Skill Development Corporation with respect to work force required for the tourism and hospitality sector, the release said.

"The Tourism and Hospitality University should be able to conduct research on everything relating to these sectors. Water sports, beach tourism, spiritual tourism, eco-tourism, caravan tourism, heli-tourism and other opportunities should be explored.
"It should also cater to the needs of hospitality sector and train people in cooking, bartending, tourist guides, drivers, etc," the Chief Minister said.
Emphasising the need to promote Telugu culture, Naidu suggested that Kuchipudi and other local, tribal art forms and dances could be promoted through various carnivals held on a massive scale.
Secretary (Tourism and Culture), Neerabh Kumar Prasad said Andhra Pradesh plans to attract an investment of Rs 10,000 crore in the tourism sector in the next five years, the release added.