Andhra Pradesh Eyes Global Wedding Tourism, Woos Investors

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh aims to emerge as a global wedding destination by leveraging its scenic coastline, hill resorts, heritage sites and spiritual centres, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said at the International Wedding and Tourism Convention (IWTC) in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Participating in the meeting, the minister held discussions with leading wedding planners, event organizers and tourism stakeholders about the immense potential of wedding tourism in AP. He assured investors that the government will provide full support to wedding and tourism projects, including single window permits, infrastructure and policy incentives.

Durgesh said the state has given high priority to tourism as a key driver of economic growth. He also showcased the state’s tourism attractions at the Andhra Pradesh Tourism pavilion established at the conclave.

Highlighting the strengths of the state, the minister said Visakhapatnam, with its picturesque beaches and hill resorts, offers an ideal setting for world-class beach weddings, while luxury hotels at Suryalanka Beach will further strengthen the industry. He described Araku Valley as the perfect venue for intimate weddings amid misty hills, lush greenery, tribal culture, eco-tourism activities and internationally renowned Araku coffee.

Durgesh also touched on the lush green landscapes of Konaseema, the dense forests of Maredumilli and Tirupati, which are fast emerging as a preferred destination for traditional grand weddings with the addition of world-class hospitality facilities. He noted that yoga guru Baba Ramdev also established wellness centers in Andhra Pradesh.

He said that the state has given industry status to tourism and is offering attractive incentives under Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024-29. Apart from a strong focus on film tourism, homestays, caravans, land allotments and hostels were also part of the policy.

Many wedding planners expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in AP following the minister’s presentation.

Inviting the organizers to visit the state for field inspections, Durgesh expressed confidence that wedding tourism will create employment, attract investment and accelerate the growth of the tourism sector.

The meeting was attended by special principal secretary for tourism Ajay Jain, hospitality industry leaders, investors, venue owners, travel trade partners, tourism stakeholders and destination wedding managers.