AP gets ‘Best Tourism Promotion State’ award

Metro India News | KOVALAM

Andhra Pradesh has been honored with the prestigious “Best Tourism Promotion State” award at the Global Travel Market (GTM) Tourism Awards 2026, held during the inaugural session of South India’s leading travel and trade event in Kovalam, Kerala.

Kerala Tourism Minister P.C. Vishnunadh presented the award to Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh in recognition of the state’s achievements in tourism promotion, destination branding, cultural heritage conservation and tourism sector development.

Special Chief Secretary to AP government Ajay Jain was also present during the ceremony. Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Durgesh said Kerala had emerged as a model for responsible tourism practices and highlighted the importance of sharing successful tourism strategies among states. Former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh, GTM CEO Siji Nair, and South Kerala Hoteliers Forum Secretary Prasad Manjali attended the event.

More than 1,000 domestic and international buyers and 300 corporate buyers participated in the three-day Global Travel Market, which aims to promote tourism business opportunities, networking, destination marketing and market intelligence. The event also showcased tourism circuits across South Kerala and initiatives to promote Ayurveda among global tour operators.