‘Tourism Police’ touted for tourist security

Locations such as the blackbuck habitats in Kurnool district, Byrluty in the Nallamala forest region, and flamingo habitats in Nellore district as destinations with strong eco-tourism potential that should be developed to international standards.”

Pawan Kalyan

Deputy Chief Minister, AP

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has directed officials to identify nearly 200 major tourist destinations across Andhra Pradesh and prepare a comprehensive roadmap to transform the state into a leading eco-tourism and spiritual tourism hub. He also proposed the introduction of a dedicated “Tourism Police” system to ensure the safety and security of tourists visiting the state.

Chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat with officials from the Forest, Tourism, Panchayat Raj, and Rural Development departments, Pawan Kalyan stressed the need for coordinated efforts to develop eco-tourism while protecting natural ecosystems. Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh also participated in the meeting.

The Deputy Chief Minister instructed the departments to jointly form a committee and identify approximately 200 scenic and tourism-worthy locations in the state. He directed officials to collect complete details regarding infrastructure, accessibility, facilities, and tourism potential at each location and submit a comprehensive report within five days.

Pawan Kalyan said tourist safety should be treated as a top priority, particularly for visitors travelling from other states and countries. He proposed discussing the creation of a specialised Tourism Police force in the state Cabinet to ensure safety at tourist and pilgrimage destinations. He noted that strengthening security and tourism infrastructure could create employment opportunities for nearly 50,000 youth while enhancing Andhra Pradesh’s image as a safe tourism destination nationally.

Highlighting the state’s eco-tourism potential, he said coordination between the Forest and Tourism departments could unlock enormous opportunities for nature tourism. He called for developing tourism in villages with unique cultural or natural attractions and suggested adopting hospitality models similar to northeastern states, where tourists are accommodated in local homes with community participation. He also instructed officials to conduct field visits, create route maps, and develop a dedicated tourism app containing details of facilities, accommodations, and attractions. The identified destinations would be linked into tourism circuits and integrated into package tours offered by tourism operators.

Pawan Kalyan further proposed integrating tourism and temple administration services under a coordinated framework in consultation with Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy. He suggested designing combo tourism packages that combine temple visits with nearby eco-tourism destinations to enhance visitor experience and increase tourism footfall across the state.