Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh on Wednesday reviewed measures to develop tourism and preserve the State’s archaeological heritage during separate meetings with newly appointed officials at the Secretariat.

The Minister met newly appointed APTDC Managing Director Pattan Shetty Ravi Subhash and discussed measures to promote tourism in the State. He directed the officials to identify tourism potential of tribal areas and prepare special development plans for these destinations.

Mr. Durgesh also stressed the need to promote eco-tourism and wellness tourism without disturbing the ecological balance. He called for attracting investments through the public-private partnership (PPP) mode and expediting projects for which agreements had already been signed.

The Minister and the APTDC MD reviewed the new tourism policy and its allied policies, taking into consideration feedback from experts and investors in the sector. They discussed the progress of projects approved by the State Investment Promotion Board and State Investment Promotion Committee.

The Minister called for organising regional tourism festivals to showcase Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential and for wider promotion of the State’s tourism destinations in India and abroad.

In a separate meeting, the Minister reviewed the preservation of the State’s archaeological heritage and development of museums with newly appointed Archaeology and Museums Commissioner Revu Muthyala Raju.

The Minister called for protecting ancient archaeological remains, historical structures, inscriptions and artefacts for future generations. He directed the department to modernise museums and make them more attractive to tourists.

He said the Archaeology Department should take a more active role in preserving ancient artefacts that reflect the State’s history and cultural heritage.

Mr. Muthyala Raju assured the Minister that a special action plan would be prepared for the conservation of archaeological heritage and development of museums.

Published - August 13, 2026 11:48 am IST