To boost tourist arrivals in the region and showcase the entire south as an attractive tourist destination, southern states are jointly working on various proposals, including the launch of luxury train and sease of the entire region and see some places of interest from each region, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department Joint Director Balsubramanyam Reddy told reporters on Monday.
“We are planning to promote tourist destinations in South India on the lines of the golden triangle in North India and are in the process of working out various joint proposals to bolster this initiative”, he said.
On the cards is the proposed 22-coach luxury train called the ‘Southern Splendour’, which is expectethrough Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Pondicherry, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, details of the tourist spots in each state are still being worked out.
“We are planning various packages comprising various time period and tourist spots, including a hop-in, hop-out package for those interested only in specific tourist spots”, he said.
The tourist destinations would have a blend of beaches, heritage, religious spots and adventure, he said.
The bogies of the train would have a feel of each of the Southern states with the interiors being designed to give an ethnic feel of the place and authentic Southern cuisine being added for that special touch, Reddy said, adding that Rs 25 croe had been set aside for the project.
Also on the anvil are sea cruise packages, which will allow tourists enjoy the panoramic beauty of the southern beaches.
The cruise packages would include a view of the southern ports including Vishakapatnam and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. The details are still being worked out.
Right now Kerala and Tamil Nadu have displayed an initiative in the cruise line project, he said.
Speaking about the new initiatives launched by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism department, he said it is all set to launch a range of programmes to facilitate public-private partnership.
It will soon launch its online booking facility, which will provide links to various hotels in the private sector across various budgets and include tours as well.
Announcement of new investor friendly tourism policy, inauguration of the Rs 10 crore Hyderabad Expo City were among the major initiatives of the state.
As part of its promotion, the name of Andhra Pradesh would be displayed on the fuselage of at least some of the 62 new state-of-the-art Boeing 777-200 aircraft being acquired by Air India, following a Memorandum of Understanding between AP and the airline, Reddy said.
Around 22 hotels including 10 five star hotels were in the offing. Service Apartments were also being encouraged.