The Andhra Pradesh state government is looking to boost tourism in the Araku Valley by introducing Caravan Tourism and adventure activities. The move comes as the tourism department looks to attract more visitors to the Andhra Ooty area.
Tourism Department CEO K Kanna Babu visited the Araku and Borra Caves tourist spots on Sunday and suggested additional facilities be added to wooden rooms, suites, and bridge rooms in Araku Valley and Ananthagiri and Tida resorts. The department is also planning to introduce a new cave in the Borra Caves area and construct additional viewpoints on the ghat road from S Kota to Araku Valley.
Caravan Tourism, which offers visitors a flexible holiday without the need to book accommodation or plan a detailed itinerary, will be introduced in Araku with basic amenities such as water, electricity, and safety provided by the tourism department. Zipline adventure tourism will also be arranged on the River Gosthani from Koitiguda to Borra Caves.
Borra Caves, which attract tourists to see natural caves that are over 100 million years old, are a significant revenue source for the AP tourism department. With footfall ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 on normal days and exceeding 10,000 on tourist season days, the caves generate between Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 14 lakh on normal days and up to Rs. 25 lakh for a week during the season.
The tourism department aims to provide more facilities and give visitors a different experience in Araku Valley. “We are planning to attract more tourists by providing more facilities and giving them a different feeling in Araku. As part of this, Caravan Tourism, Zipline adventure, and introduction of one more cave in Borra Caves. We will work on those projects,” said K Kanna Babu.
Regional Director of the tourism department, Srinivas, added: “More focus would be on Caravan tourism. Zipline adventure proposals have been there for the past few years. As per the CEO’s instructions, we are exercising to provide more facilities to tourists.”