Vizag to have state's first beach resort

Andhra Pradesh's first ever beach resort is slated to come up near Visakhapatnam. Indo American Hostels and Resorts Limited has proposed to set up the first major beach resort project called 'Bay Park Resort' at Rushikonda beach near Visakhapatnam.

Bay Park Resort will be managed by international renowned hotel chain "� Hilton Hotels and Resorts.

The Rs 36-crore project has been conceived under the public-private participation policy drafted by the Department of Tourism of the Andhra Pradesh government to develop the fledgling tourism industry in the state.

"We are going create international standard facilities in Bay Park Resort. Our main aim is to attract international tourists as well as domestic tourists in large numbers. To this end we have decided to appoint the internationally renowned 'Hilton Hotels and Resorts' group to manage this Bay Park", B R Rao, director of Indo American Hotels and Resorts Limited, told Business Standard.

"The Hilton group has been managing several resorts internationally and because of our association with the Hilton, Bay Park will see a good number of international tourists," he said.

"We have appointed Indonesia-based Popa Dance as principal architects to the projects. They will give the layout plan and architectural drawings and our project consultant is PRG Consultants," he revealed.

The proposed beach resort will have 63 standard, cabana and suite villas, with 81 cottages on a hill top and convention/conference halls, business center with state of art communication facilities, health care with Aurvedic massage center, sauna and jacuzzi, spa, multi-cuisine restaurants, he stated.

"On the beach front we will create water sports facilities, this will be the major attraction to tourists," Rao said.

"The project estimated to cost Rs 36 crore will see the promoters bring 50 per cent of the equity. The remaining 50 per cent of the cost will come through borrowings from financial institutions. We have already tied-up with financial institutions. Once we get the clearances from the Pollution Control Board and Coast Regulation Zone authorities, the banks will release the funds to take up construction work," he observed.

"We should be able to start construction work by May and the project will be ready with in the next 24 months," Rao said.

The project is expected to generate employment for close to 500 people.