AP to have new tourism policy

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy has announced that the state would come out with a new tourism policy shortly.

Addressing the 55th Indian Travel Congress here on Sunday, the chief minister said that the new tourism policy with 'innovative provisions' was ready and would be discussed at the forthcoming state cabinet meeting on September 8.

"We would like to create world-class tourism infrastructure in the state. We are future ready, now it is for you to come and use the best of it," he told the representatives of the travel and tourism industry.

Replying to a question by Air Deccan chairman and managing director G Gopinath, the chief minister said that he wanted to open at least three to four new airports. In this regard, he first wanted an assurance from the airlines industry that it would operate flights to the new destinations.

Reddy also said that he would convene a meeting of state government officials shortly to discuss about the locations where new airports could be opened. He asked Gopinath to take part in the meeting.

Later, Gopinath held discussions with state tourism minister J Geeta Reddy. He subsequently told mediapersons that the state could build airports in five to six new places. He also wanted construction of air strips at all district headquarters for landing and take off of chartered flights. These strips need not have any air traffic control systems, he said.

Gopinath would discuss the details in this regard with the officials of state tourism department at a meeting to be held here next week.