TRAVEL AND TRANSPORT - From the imagination of Jules Verne to 21^st century reality

This year marks the centenary of one of the world's greatest authors and travel visionaries, Jules Verne's. A science-fiction writer, Jules Verne developed the reality about advances in transport that have and will continue to be made. Transport has always been the lifeblood of the travel industry. The final experience of a person traveling on a holiday or on business is determined, as far as transport is concerned, with standards of efficiency, comfort and safety. 

Over the last century, international travel has become such a normal part of everyday life that transport capacity is now a critical factor in the development or expansion of any destination. This critical factor also leads to the rapid development of another important factor, i.e. communication, which in the recent years has closely affected the industry and thus leads to its growth. 

Andhra Pradesh has achieved major strides in promoting the tourism industry and the Government view this as a powerful growth engine. Tourism is a people oriented business where the responsibility is on everyone to work towards making tourism contribute for social development. To maximize the potential economic impacts it is necessary to integrate tourism development in the overall development of the State. The tourist industry helps make various changes for the development of other sectors and also maximizes economic impact for the various stakeholders within the tourism industry. 

Andhra Pradesh tourism has embarked on new and splendid initiatives, which has enabled it to figure as a prominent tourism destination the world over. It has a splendid coastline that extends over 1000 kms over the Bay of Bengal. From within the varied past and culture, the State houses beautiful old Heritage Monuments that reflect the culture and history of the State along with a trail of Buddhist glory. Andhra Pradesh flourishes from the scenic and beautiful hills of the Araku Valley and Horseley hills and transcends into a world of beauty, serenity and calm amidst the clouds. For the religious minded, Andhra Pradesh spreads from Tirupathi, Bhagwan Satya Sai Baba, Medak church, the monumental Mecca Masjid, to the numerous temples that adorn Andhra Pradesh. 

The Government views the Tourism Industry as an important tool for employment generation and propelling economic growth. Initiatives under rural tourism are underway in Pochampally. In fact, rural tourism has immense potential to create enormous employment opportunities in the rural sector. 

Some of the achievements of the tourism industry can be explained as follows:

• Destination Promotion Shows have been held in Colombo and Bangkok, and they are proposed in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Chicago, London and other American and European destinations for promoting the State as a national and international tourist destination. 

• Entered in to partnership with various international airlines like the Srilankan Airlines and Air India, to facilitate creation of complete travel solution packages. 

• In the Rural tourism sector, initiatives are underway for the Pochampally project, which will create employment opportunities for the weavers. 

• Buddhism circuits have been aggressively promoted in countries with significant Buddhist population. 

• Conducting familiarization tours with the Tour Operators of Baltic region, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Srilanka to aggressively promote the State of Andhra Pradesh. 

• Fairs & Festivals have been organized at the State and District level. Participation in various national and international fairs to showcase the State of Andhra Pradesh in the right perspective. 

• Initiatives in areas of infrastructure building and development such as, ropeways at Srisailam, House Boats at Konaseema, Tourism Signage's, development of tourism circuits and the development of Bhavani Island in the Krishna river at Vijayawada. 

• International Air connectivity has also increased due to major international flights connected directly to major international tourism destinations like Frankfurt, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha Qatar, Jeddah, etc. 
  
  On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, the Department of Tourism and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation had initiated certain programs as follows: 

• Flagging of the Vintage Car and Motor Cycle Rally at Lumbini Laser Show Parking Area. 

• Flagging of six city tour Luxury coaches at Lumbini Laser Show Parking Area. 

• Commissioning of the "Khair-un-Nissa" Twin Deck Luxury Cruiser at Hussain Sagar Lake. 

• Awards of Excellence in the following categories for the winners are mentioned as under: