Tour Operators are the Real Pillars and Brand Ambassadors of Tourism Development of the State
Shri Kandula Durgesh, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography, Andhra Pradesh
H.C. Gera | Bureau Chief
The Andhra Pradesh ADTOI National Travel Mart at Visakhapatnam registered an impressive presence of tour operators, travel agents, and stakeholders from the travel industry from 13th to 14th February 2026. Over six hundred members from across the country attended the travel mart.
Hon’ble Minister for Tourism of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Kandula Durgesh, inaugurated the mart by lighting the auspicious lamp.
Mr. Ved Khanna, during his welcome address, stated that the state of Andhra Pradesh has moved in leaps and bounds on the domestic tourism front. He further stated that ADTOI is committed to a meaningful purpose for the promotion of domestic tourism in Andhra Pradesh.
Shri Kandula Durgesh, in his inaugural address, stated that tour operators are the real pillars for the promotion and development of tourism in Andhra Pradesh. He emphasized the need for effective coordination with the neighboring state of Chhattisgarh for the mutual promotion of tourist destinations. Referring to the Dandakaranya forests and their linkage with the Ramayana in Chhattisgarh, the Minister said that through this spiritual connect, both states should develop an integrated tourism circuit to promote regional tourism.
He also outlined his future plans and initiatives for the promotion of caravan tourism between Visakhapatnam and Araku Valley.
Record Participation and Robust B2B Engagement
The Mart witnessed overwhelming participation with nearly 700 registrations, including:
- 500+ buyers representing destinations and source markets across India
- 80+ sellers showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s diverse tourism offerings
Thousands of structured B2B meetings were conducted over the two days, facilitating meaningful business exchanges and fostering long-term strategic partnerships.
The participation was truly pan-India, with delegates from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Delhi NCR, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and other key source markets.
Dr. Nukasani Bala, Chairman, APTDC; Special Chief Secretary (Tourism) Mr. Ajay Jain, IAS; Managing Director & CEO Ms. Amrapali, IAS; and other dignitaries from the state of Chhattisgarh were also present.
