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Visakhapatnam
Boom in leisure tourism
A view of the newlly constructed Araku Valley Resort
Biting cold in the agency tracts of Visakhapatnam is no longer a dampening factor. With the word spreading about the splendid and majestic view in the idyllic spots at Araku Valley, known as 'Ooty of AP', and the million year old Borra Caves and neighbourhood, tourists are arriving in large numbers to enjoy the natural splendour of lush green Eastern Ghats in Visakhapatnam district. There seems to be perceptible change in the trend this season. Not only the conventional crowd from West Bengal and Orissa, people from within the State from Rayalaseema and Telangana are also arriving in large numbers to have `leisure tourism', taking a break from their busy schedule. On-line reservation through the offices of APTDC in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Panaji have also helped in large influx of tourists. The latest trend has put the officials connected with the tourism industry in upbeat mood. "We are very much thrilled with the trend. The welcome feature this year is the phenomenal rise in on-line reservation of rooms,'' says the AP Tourism Corporation (APTDC) Divisional Manager, P.G.S. Sai. Much ahead of tourist season -- from October to February -- almost 80 per cent of accommodation available at Punnami guest houses managed by AP Tourism are booked. The revenue from tourism which was Rs.4.30 crores last year is expected to register a 50 per cent jump with a revenue of Rs.6.5 crores during the current fiscal. The construction of AC and non-AC suits with a health club, ayurveda massage centre, swimming pool, amusement centre for children at Araku at a cost of Rs.4.5 crores and a Crafts Village as per the landscape designed by famous Delhi-based architect Ujjan Ghosh, has made the difference. The introduction of more deluxe buses from Visakhapatnam to Araku, Borra Caves and other tourist spots and improvement of facilities at Punnami Yatri Nivas and Punnami Beach Resort cottages at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam have helped giving a big boost to leisure tourism. At present, 55 suites and rooms of various sizes are available at Punnami Valley Resort and 40 at Mayuri, including 10 at the newly-developed Crafts Village at Araku Valley, 30 duplex cottages at Punnami Beach Resort, Rushikonda and 40 at Punnami Yatri Nivas in Visakhapatnam. The Jungle Bells project launched at Tyda, on the foothills of Eastern Ghats and located at about 75 km. from Visakhapatnam, has become a big hit. It offers trekking, hiking, theme parties and bird watching facility for nature lovers. Tyda project provides accommodation in the form of 14 wooden, loggers, and aerocon cottages. The introduction of the long-awaited see-through train from Visakhapatnma to Araku Valley, the construction of a new block comprising 32 duplex cottages at Rushikonda, the inauguration of bar and restaurant and a spacious conference hall at Rushikonda scheduled in February and the opening of a beer parlour and a restaurant at the Roads and Buildings guest house, Anantagiri, which was taken by AP Tourism on lease under wayside amenities improvement programme, will go a long way in giving further fillip to tourism in this part of the State.
Borra Caves, the biggest tourist attraction in the valley. --Photo : K.R. Deepak
SANTOSH PATNAIK
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