APTDC plans to set up several tourist-friendly features on the warship INS Viraat

HYDERABAD: AP Tourism Development Corporation officials said the Centre had suggested to the AP government to set up several tourist-friendly features on the INS Viraat.

The facilities include a platform to operate helicopters for heli-tourism, sections for hospitality, holding conventions, gaming and amusement centres, marine adventure activities, food courts and restaurants and a cultural centre apart from a museum.

APTDC executive director Amarendar said the government was aiming at preserving the INS Viraat to showcase it to the younger generations.

He said the facilities proposed by the Centre would attract tourists from all classes — from adventure sport lovers and deep sea divers to married couples looking for a stay in the resort. He said that even before the Centre had sanctioned the aircraft carrier, the state government had plans to construct a Rs 20-crore museum at Kakinada.

The money would be transferred to build the aircraft carrier-museum. He said that if their plans work out, tourists could stay overnight at the decommissioned ship as its cabins could be converted to hotel rooms.