Andhra Pradesh Targets 50,000 Hotel Rooms by 2029 in Massive Tourism Push

In a major push to position Andhra Pradesh as a premier travel destination, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has set an ambitious target of developing 50,000 hotel rooms by 2029 , signalling a large-scale transformation of the state’s tourism ecosystem. The directive was issued during a high-level review meeting attended by Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, AP Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Nookasani Balaji, and senior officials.

At the heart of the plan is a shift from limited, short-duration visits to a holistic, experience-driven tourism model . Andhra Pradesh, long known for pilgrimage traffic especially to Tirupati Temple is now aiming to encourage longer stays by expanding accommodation, improving attractions, and building integrated tourism circuits.

The government has instructed officials to fast-track projects approved by the State Investment Promotion Board while simultaneously promoting 10,000 homestays across urban and rural regions. This move is expected to deepen community participation , allowing local households to directly benefit from tourism while offering visitors authentic cultural experiences. Scenic and tribal regions around Araku Valley and Borra Caves are likely to emerge as key hubs for such initiatives.

In parallel, the state is working to diversify its tourism offerings. Plans include developing amusement parks in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati , alongside promoting eco-tourism, caravan tourism, and temple tourism through coordinated efforts with forest and endowment departments. Destinations such as Gandikota often called India’s Grand Canyon and Suryalanka Beach are being positioned as flagship attractions to draw both domestic and international travellers.

The state is also leveraging central schemes like the PRASAD Scheme and Swadesh Darshan Scheme to strengthen infrastructure and connectivity. Projects under these initiatives are targeted for completion by May 2026, with proposals worth ₹663 crore already submitted. Additionally, riverfront development along the Godavari including upgrades near the Havelock Bridge is expected to boost spiritual and cultural tourism ahead of major events.

Beyond infrastructure, the economic implications are significant. The expansion is expected to generate large-scale employment , stimulate local supply chains , and encourage MSME growth across hospitality, transport, handicrafts, and food sectors. By increasing both tourist inflow and average stay duration, the state aims to boost per capita tourist spending , a key driver of sustainable tourism revenue.

However, officials acknowledge that execution will be critical. Addressing skill gaps in hospitality , maintaining environmental balance in eco-sensitive zones, and ensuring timely project completion will determine the long-term success of the initiative.

If implemented effectively, this strategy could mark a turning point for Andhra Pradesh transforming it from a transit-heavy state into a vibrant, multi-experience tourism hub that combines spirituality, nature, culture, and leisure while driving regional economic growth and global visibility.