Andhra Pradesh still not getting tourists

Hyderabad: Tourism planners, hotels and airlines are offering big discounts to tourists, but the visitors are not coming in.

While airlines slashed fares by 50 per cent and 30 per cent (for travel till April 14), hotels are giving 20 to 40 per cent discounts to attract tourists. But the discounts are encouraging residents to go to other states.

“Even a sizeable discount in airfares and hotel charges are not an attraction for a tourist to look at Hyderabad or for that matter any other place in AP,” said Pradeep Dutt, president of the Five Star Hotels Association of AP.

“When there are discounts elsewhere, people prefer to go there,” Dutt said, adding, “When it comes to hotel occupancy the scenario is bad.”

“In the last three years, this is the worst time for hotels. Despite offering discounts of 25 per cent, the hotels are only 40 to 50 per cent occupied. We did not see any jump during Christmas or now although the marriage season is in full swing,” said Jagdish Rao, secretary of the Hotels Association of AP.

The city's hotels used to see good business due to its status as a business and IT hub. That too is slackening over the last three years. "With the summer approaching, we are seeing a slight increase in package bookings to destinations in other states but incoming tourism is just not happening," said Mallesh Reddy, a package tour operator, "In the last three years, this is the worst time for the hotels.

Despite of offering discounts of 15 to 25 per cent, the regular hotels are only 40 to 50 per cent occupied. We did not see any pick up during Christmas or even now with the marriage season in full swing," said Jagdish Rao, secretary of the Hotels Association of Andhra Pradesh.