Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh presented the state’s new tourism blueprint ‘Swarna Andhra Vision 2047’ at the FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026 in Delhi. He highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s 1,054‑km coastline, over 80,000 temples and world‑class wildlife sanctuaries to attract investors and tourists alike.

Key Takeaways

  • Unveiling of Swarna Andhra Tourism Vision 2047
  • 49% growth in foreign tourist arrivals
  • Investment proposals worth ₹19,693 crore

At the FAITH Tourism Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh laid out an ambitious roadmap for the state’s tourism sector. The newly announced ‘Swarna Andhra Tourism Vision 2047’ aims to position Andhra Pradesh among India’s premier global tourism destinations, driving both economic growth and large‑scale job creation.

Rich Tourism Assets

Durgesh described Andhra Pradesh as a place where “every shade of India is present.” The state boasts a 1,054‑km coastline, more than 80,000 temples—including the famed Tirumala shrine—13 wildlife sanctuaries, three national parks, the country’s largest tiger reserve, and several UNESCO tentative heritage sites. This diversity enables a blend of spiritual, Buddhist, heritage, eco‑tourism, adventure, beach, culinary, handicraft, and cultural experiences.

Visitor Numbers and Investment Momentum

Official data shows total tourist footfalls rising from 28.58 crore in 2023‑24 to 36.42 crore in 2025‑26, while foreign arrivals jumped from 1.70 lakh to 2.72 lakh—a near‑50% increase. The state has granted industry status to tourism projects and rolled out a transparent Tourism Policy for 2024‑29. So far, investment proposals amount to ₹19,693 crore, with approvals already issued for projects worth ₹9,200 crore, expected to add roughly 8,000 hotel rooms.

Employment Generation and New Initiatives

Durgesh announced a target of creating three lakh jobs in the tourism sector over the next five years. Key initiatives include caravan tourism, homestay promotion, adventure tourism guidelines, beach‑shack and concert policies, film tourism incentives, and monument‑adoption programmes. The state is also developing seven major tourism hubs, river‑cruise projects on the Krishna and Godavari rivers, improving connectivity through six airports, and launching the ‘Holiday in Andhra Pradesh’ campaign focused on destination weddings, gastronomy, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism.

Looking Ahead

If the momentum sustains, Andhra Pradesh could become a benchmark for sustainable, community‑driven tourism in India, reinforcing the nation’s broader tourism competitiveness. The success of the Vision will hinge on balancing investor confidence with genuine benefits for local communities, ensuring that the growth translates into long‑term prosperity for the state.