Forget the typical tourist attractions like beaches and hills - it looks like temple tourism is the new hot ticket, at least for the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
While Andhra Pradesh has seen an impressive surge in the number of domestic and foreign tourists visiting the state, its neighbour Telangana has failed to measure up. As per reports, the data released by the Rajya Sabha show that AP has been steadily climbing the ranks to claim the third spot in the country for domestic tourists, while Telangana fails to make it even to the top 25.
What’s even more interesting is that Andhra Pradesh has achieved most of this success due to the popularity of its temple tourism. Moreover, the state has seen an increase in air connectivity to various parts of the country, making travel easier and cheaper for travellers. With 20% more domestic tourists visiting Andhra Pradesh and a lucrative 71% rise in foreign tourists, it’s evident that the temple-tourism boom in the state has been playing a major role in its success.
Moreover, places like Vishakhapatnam are pulling crowds in from the neighbouring states of West Bengal and Odisha now due to the attractive packages provided under their Leave Travel Allowances.
The coastal state of Andhra Pradesh is also looking to get in on the ground level tourism game. The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) has decided to team-up with Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) to give access to pilgrims to seamless transportation services. The APTDC is also partnering with OLA in the hopes of getting more travellers to visit their state.
Telangana, however, is still trying to figure out a way to get more tourists to their state. For this purpose, the government is looking to improve the eco-tourism circuit and promote lesser known destinations.
What’s clear is that both the states have realised the potential that the tourism industry holds. With an increasing number of travellers looking for various experiences at places that are relatively unexplored, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are hoping to capitalise on this potential.
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