Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Andhra Pradesh tourism officials outlined steps to improve air connectivity, add seaplane services, and roll out curated circuits linking temples, ghats and river destinations for the 2027 Godavari Pushkarams.
Central government support pledged for developing Andhra Pradesh’s tourism infrastructure, including plans for new airports and seaplane services to improve access to key sites.
State plans seven dedicated tourism circuits for the Godavari Pushkarams 2027 to link heritage temples, ghats and pilgrimage sites into packaged routes.
Tourism packages will connect riverfront attractions and pilgrimage nodes such as Havelock Bridge, Papikondalu, Antarvedi and Draksharamam.
At the 41st annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said the Central government will back Andhra Pradesh's push to become a major tourism destination. He described the State as having abundant natural, spiritual and cultural resources and said air connectivity to destinations across Andhra Pradesh — including Visakhapatnam — is being strengthened.
The government plans new airports and the introduction of seaplane services to make travel to tourist sites faster. Those two elements were presented as practical ways to expand access to remote or riverfront destinations and reduce travel times for domestic and international visitors.
Godavari Pushkarams 2027: seven tourism circuits
Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh announced a detailed circuit plan timed to the Godavari Pushkarams in 2027. He described seven special tourism circuits that bundle different types of destinations and experiences: Pancharama Kshetras, Shakti Peethas, Devi Kshetras, Vaishnava Divya Kshetras, Godavari Heritage Temples, Pushkar Ghats, and the Akhanda Godavari regions.
How circuits will be packaged and connected
The State has designed tourism packages to connect riverfront attractions and pilgrimage venues. Named sites and nodes that will be linked in the packs include the historic Havelock Bridge, Papikondalu, Pushkar Ghats, and Harathi venues, plus pilgrimage towns such as Antarvedi, Vadapalli, Appanapalli, Mandapalli, Samarlakota, Draksharamam, and Palakollu. The packages aim to create route-driven visitor flows rather than isolated site visits.
To mark the convention, officials unveiled an Indian Association of Tour Operators manual book, intended to serve as a working reference for tour operators. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department also launched a poster called 'The Godavari Calls' to promote the Pushkarams initiative, positioning it as a combined spirituality, culture and heritage platform.
The announcements tie into a push to elevate Andhra Pradesh on India's tourism map by improving access and by creating themed circuits that generate linked itineraries. Strengthened air links plus seaplane options are intended to expand the practical reach of those circuits to visitors who might otherwise skip remote riverfront or pilgrimage sites because of travel time.
The public statements at the IATO convention indicate two near-term lines of work: planning and developing transport infrastructure (airports and seaplane operations) and finalising the circuit-based tourism products for the 2027 Pushkarams. The poster and the manual aim to bring tour operators on board quickly so product development and promotion can proceed before the Pushkarams year.
Tour operators and local tourism businesses will look for timelines and funding details for airport and seaplane projects, operational plans for new connectivity, and the rollout schedule for the seven circuits. Pilgrimage towns and riverfront communities will look for specific investment, transport links and visitor-management arrangements tied to the Pushkarams surge in 2027.
HRAAP urged the AP government to seek GST input tax credit relief for hotels and launch a focused “Visit Vizag” campaign to boost tourism.
“Both Andhra Pradesh and Goa must share experiences and successful policies to deliver greater benefits to their people,” he said.
Guided by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Padi Sutralu (Ten Guiding Principles), the government is targeting a $2.4-trillion economy, a per capita income of ₹55 lakh and sustained annual growth of 15 per cent or more by 2047.
Ropeway, boating and cottages are among proposed attractions at the scenic backwater spot
The government order issued in this regard on August 20 followed the recommendations of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) at its meeting on August 12.
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.