Special Chief Secretary for Tourism and Culture, Ajay Jain, IAS, has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to position Visakhapatnam as a world-class tourist destination. Speaking during a high-level review meeting in Vizag, Jain emphasized the need to elevate local tourism infrastructure to international standards, with a focus on adventure sports, water-based experiences, electric mobility, cruise connectivity, and luxury accommodations.

“Project acceleration is key,” said Jain as he directed officials to expedite land allotment for premium hospitality outlets, including Oberoi Resorts near Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport and Mayfair Hotels at Bheemunipatnam . He also highlighted the importance of clear signage and visitor-friendly boards throughout the city to enhance navigability for tourists.

Jain underscored the promotion of adventure and water sports, along with cruise liner awareness, to boost tourist engagement and drive visitor retention and repeat visits.

In addition, he personally inspected the newly introduced electric double-decker “Hop On – Hop Off” buses, reviewing their charging infrastructure and conducting a trial run near Sagar Nagar. According to Jain, these buses will not only redefine urban mobility but also support Vizag’s positioning as a smart, eco-friendly city.

“These technologically advanced electric double-decker buses will offer a seamless tourist experience while reducing the city’s carbon footprint,” remarked GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, who accompanied the inspection. He further suggested utilising the buses for school field trips to maximise community benefit.