The AP New Tourism Policy released by the state government has intended to create land banks across the state so as to attract investments for tourism projects. are ready for tourist projects to be set up in the state. For potential investors, the policy assured to provide attractive concessions also besides lands.
‘The state government is determined to allocate lands in an ‘investor-friendly’ manner to those investing in the tourism and hospitality sector. As part of this, the government is ready to identify encumbrance-free land banks across the state and make special allocations,’ the government said in this 46-page policy document.
Along with lands, there will be 100 percent exemption on land transfer charges and 100 percent exemption on stamp duty. It has been revealed that the electricity tariff provided to industries will be applicable to these projects, and there will be an electricity duty exemption for five years.
It has been stated that there will be an exemption from state GST for seven years. It has been stated that the target is to increase the share of the tourism sector in the state’s gross value added (GVA) from 4.6 percent to 8 percent. The police expected that employment generation will increase from 12 to 15 percent. Visakhapatnam and Amaravati (NagarjunaKonda) will be developed as Buddhist circuits. Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Kakinada, Nellore and Machilipatnam will be declared as beach circuits. Beach resorts and villas will be developed under the PPP model.
It has been decided to start seaplanes in Araku-Lambasingi, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Konaseema, Vijayawada, Srisailam, Gandikota and Tirupati areas. It has been stated that shooting locations should be identified for film tourism. A calendar will be prepared with events to be organized every year.
It has been said that tourist police stations should be set up in major tourist areas and women police should be set up for women and children. The Tourism Development Corporation will promote arts like Kondapalli, Kalankari, Eluru Carpets, Uppada Saree, Budithi Brassware.
It was said that this policy will be in force for five years or until a new policy is issued and international standard facilities will be provided in all these areas. The government has invited investments in six categories for tourism projects and fixed a minimum investment of Rs. 1 crore and has called it ‘micro’ investment. It said that projects with investments of Rs. 250 to 500 crore in three years and above Rs. 500 crore in four years will be identified as ‘mega’, ‘ultra mega’ categories and will provide ‘tailor made’ subsidies.
