Hyderabad:Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy instructed officials to draft a tourism policy to make the state a global tourism hub. He noted that Telangana lacked a dedicated tourism policy for the past decade during the tenure of the BRS government.
He stressed the importance of studying successful tourism models in Dubai, Singapore, and China to integrate their best practices into the state’s policy. "Hyderabad's favorable year-round weather is an advantage that we must leverage to boost the tourism sector," Revanth Reddy stated at a review meeting on Friday.
The CM mooted several proposals which include establishing shopping malls in Hyderabad akin to those in Dubai and Singapore, promote the automobile industry in the city following Tamil Nadu's example, connect temples to tiger reserve forest areas for promoting temple tourism, create an environment for relocating tigers from Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra to Telangana, focus on innovative concept tourism instead of routine attractions, explore the establishment of a mega convention centre in the proposed Future City, ensuring accessibility within 20 minutes from the airport, identify and develop locations for destination weddings.
The CM asked officials to submit a comprehensive report on tourism sites and leases and take strict action against lease violations and expedite the resolution of court cases. He suggested leasing out tourism sites to reputed companies for sustainable development.
To enhancing tourist experience, Revanth Reddy suggested transforming the old Osmania General Hospital heritage building into a tourist destination and boost tourism around Charminar with special initiatives.
Revanth Reddy also highlighted Telangana's excellent connectivity, rural road networks, diverse cuisine, and robust law and order as key enablers for tourism growth. "Telangana offers immense opportunities for tourism, with any destination within the state reachable within three hours from Hyderabad’s airport," he remarked.
The Chief Minister announced that the tourism policy would be introduced in the Assembly for a comprehensive discussion. He urged the tourism department to work diligently to make it self-sustaining and impactful.
