Visakhapatnam combines heritage walk with plans for expanded coastal tourism
Visakhapatnam marked World Tourism Day with a heritage walk, cultural performances and tourism stalls. Officials said they were assessing locations for speed boating, scuba diving and parasailing along the coast, while also promoting packages to Araku and temple destinations. A proposed Bay City project would cover nearly 40 kilometres of coastline.
Visakhapatnam marked World Tourism Day on Sunday with a heritage walk through the Old Town and an evening cultural programme at Dutt Island in Siripuram. The celebrations were organised by the Department of Tourism with participation from the district administration, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, INTACH, students and hospitality-sector representatives. The programme included Dhimsa and Kuchipudi performances, flash mobs and stalls featuring Vasenapoli millets, Native Araku Coffee, Lepakshi handicrafts and a virtual-reality experience presented with GITAM deemed to be University.
The events drew large numbers of young people. District Tourism Officer J. Madhavi said the activities were designed for free public participation and encouraged residents to visit tourism attractions.
Officials said the event had been moved from the beach to Siripuram Junction to reach a wider public. The district’s tourism authorities also outlined plans to develop coastal recreation. Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation divisional manager G.V.B.
Jagadeesh said officials were forming a committee to assess the feasibility of water sports between RK Beach and Bheemili. Speed boating, scuba diving and parasailing are among the activities being considered, subject to the results of the assessment. The proposed Bay City project by the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority envisages development along almost 40 kilometres of coastline up to Bheemili.
The APTDC also plans to use its reservation offices at RK Beach and Rushikonda to promote package tours to Araku and several temple destinations. These include the Arasavalli Sun Temple, Simhachalam and the Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Vadapalli. Jagadeesh said the packages would also seek to attract more visitors from Kolkata and West Bengal.
The district administration has directed the corporation to hold an activity every Saturday as part of its tourism outreach programme.
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