Sat Nov 15 15:46:46 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh Eyes Cruise Tourism Boom, Experts Highlight Untapped Potential
VISAKHAPATNAM, November 15, 2025 – Andhra Pradesh aims to become a major cruise tourism hub, with Cordelia Cruises Waterways Leisure Tourism setting an ambitious goal to attract one crore (10 million) cruise passengers within the next five years. The announcement was made by President and CEO Jurgen Bailom during the CII Partnership Summit held today. Bailom lauded the State government’s support and indicated that new ships will be added to the fleet in the coming years to cater to the growing demand.
The summit session, titled “From Coastal Charm to Global Conferences – Unlocking A.P.’s Tourism Potential,” explored strategies to boost the state’s tourism sector. Panelists discussed the challenges faced and opportunities available, particularly concerning the state’s long coastline and extensive greenery.
Former MD of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Manoj Kumar, highlighted Karnataka’s successful eco-tourism model, attributing it to strategic location choices and unique resort experiences tailored to specific interests like birdwatching and trekking. He suggested Andhra Pradesh, boasting even more forest cover than Karnataka, focus on attracting youth and replicating similar specialized experiences.
The need for robust marketing of Andhra Pradesh’s tourist destinations was emphasized by President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Ravi Gosain. CEO of GRT Hotels, Vikram Cotah, pointed out that despite India welcoming 10 million tourists last year, Andhra Pradesh only attracted a fraction of that number, underscoring the state’s untapped potential.
The session also included insights from MD and co-founder, E-Factor Experiences, Samit Garg, Co-founder, Rapido, Pavan Guttipalli, among others, contributing to a comprehensive discussion on revitalizing and expanding Andhra Pradesh’s tourism industry.
First Piper 