Hyderabad: Telangana Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao directed officials to accelerate tourism works across the State and strengthen facilities at major destinations.
He issued the directions during a review meeting at the office of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation in Himayatnagar on Tuesday.
Patel Ramesh Reddy, Managing Director Kranti Valluri and senior officials attended the meeting.
Officials reviewed tourism initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, promotion strategies and the utilisation of tourism assets across the State.
Telangana tourism facilities and projects reviewed
The minister reviewed the development of tourist destinations and the availability of basic facilities.
Officials briefed him on amenities such as direction signboards, food courts and tourism information centres at major tourist spots.
He also examined facilities including boating services, cottages, viewpoints and the management of Haritha Hotels.
Jupally Krishna Rao said the government is giving high priority to Telangana tourism and asked officials to prepare plans to increase tourist footfall.
He stressed the need for focused branding and promotion in line with the vision of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to place Telangana prominently on the global tourism map.
The minister asked officials to study promotional strategies adopted by other States and strengthen publicity for Telangana’s tourist attractions.
He also directed the department to install direction signboards across the State to help visitors reach tourist destinations easily.
The signboards, he said, should also explain the historical and cultural importance of the locations.
Cultural promotion and tourism infrastructure
The minister emphasised the need to promote Telangana’s cultural heritage at tourist destinations.
He suggested organising cultural programmes to encourage traditional art forms and support local artists.
“Our arts, language and traditions represent our identity and must be preserved for future generations,” he said.
He also proposed constructing amphitheatres at major tourist destinations to host cultural performances.
Tourism buses and project execution
The minister reviewed the operation of tourism buses on various routes and examined their revenue performance.
Officials said revenue declined after the Andhra Pradesh government discontinued tourism packages for pilgrims visiting the Tirumala Temple.
Expressing concern, the minister said buses purchased at considerable cost should not remain idle.
He directed officials to introduce special packages and explore alternative routes to improve revenue.
The minister also reviewed the progress of about 84 tourism projects under State and centrally sponsored schemes.
He instructed officials to expedite projects that have administrative approval but remain at the tender stage.
To monitor implementation, he asked officials to submit daily status reports from the headquarters.
Warning against negligence, he said the government will take strict action against officials who delay works.
The minister also directed the department to identify idle tourism assets and bring them into productive use.
Officials were asked to explore the feasibility of developing hotels, hospitality centres, wellness facilities and amusement parks to attract tourists and increase revenue.