Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh To Host National Tourism Mart 2025, Paving The Way For A New Tourism Era

Published on December 18, 2025

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh is preparing to welcome the country’s tourism fraternity as it hosts the two-day National Tourism Mart 2025 on February 13 and 14, an event that is being widely viewed as a turning point in the State’s tourism journey. With its sweeping coastline, spiritual centres, forested Eastern Ghats and vibrant cultural heritage, Visakhapatnam offers an apt backdrop for an event designed to reintroduce Andhra Pradesh to domestic travellers in a renewed and compelling way.

Announced by the State’s Minister for Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Kandula Durgesh, the tourism mart is being organised in collaboration with the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI). The initiative aligns closely with the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department’s broader vision of positioning the State as a year-round, experience-led destination for Indian travellers, as outlined on its official tourism platforms.

Strategic Collaboration to Accelerate Domestic Tourism

At the heart of the announcement was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Andhra Pradesh government and ADTOI, a move aimed at fast-tracking domestic tourism growth. The agreement underscores a shared intent to create structured engagement between local tourism stakeholders and national-level tour operators, hotel chains and destination marketers.

Officials from the Tourism Department indicated that such collaborations were essential to bridge gaps between destination potential and market access. By bringing buyers and sellers under one roof, the National Tourism Mart is expected to convert Andhra Pradesh’s tourism assets into viable travel products that appeal to diverse traveller segments.

Showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s Diverse Travel Canvas

The National Tourism Mart will place a strong spotlight on the State’s varied tourism circuits. According to the Tourism Department, the event will showcase coastal tourism experiences along the Bay of Bengal, including beach destinations, cruise tourism prospects and water sports. Spiritual circuits featuring ancient temples and pilgrimage centres, heritage monuments reflecting the region’s dynastic past, eco-adventure tourism in forest and hill regions, and immersive experiences in agency and tribal areas will form the core narrative.

Destination presentations and curated storytelling sessions are expected to help travel professionals better understand the depth and diversity of Andhra Pradesh, moving beyond conventional itineraries to lesser-known yet high-potential locations.

B2B Networking and Familiarisation at the Core

A key feature of the tourism mart will be its strong business-to-business focus. The programme includes structured networking sessions, one-on-one business meetings, panel discussions with industry experts and familiarisation trips to nearby tourist attractions.

Tourism officials believe these interactions will allow local hotels, homestays, transport operators, guides and destination management companies to forge direct commercial relationships with national tour operators. This, in turn, is expected to translate into increased tourist footfall, longer stays and higher visitor spend across the State.

New Features Transforming Tourism and Hospitality

The tourism mart also comes at a time when Andhra Pradesh is rolling out new features across its tourism and hospitality ecosystem. According to the State’s tourism vision, these include the expansion of eco-friendly resorts, promotion of community-run homestays in rural and tribal regions, improved last-mile connectivity to tourist sites and enhanced digital platforms for bookings and information.

There is also a renewed emphasis on experiential tourism, with curated food trails, cultural immersion programmes, adventure activities and wellness retreats being developed in partnership with private players. Sustainable tourism practices, skill development for local youth and women, and the integration of smart tourism technologies are expected to play a central role in the next phase of growth.

Economic and Employment Opportunities for Local Communities

Tourism officials have indirectly highlighted that the National Tourism Mart is not merely a promotional event but a catalyst for inclusive growth. By increasing visibility and demand for Andhra Pradesh’s destinations, the initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities in hospitality, transport, guiding services, handicrafts and allied sectors.

Representatives of ADTOI have conveyed that their focus remains on promoting responsible tourism, bringing lesser-known destinations into the mainstream while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism-led development.

A Travel Industry Vote of Confidence in Andhra Pradesh

The presence of prominent tour operators, hotel owners, destination promoters and travel experts from across the country is being seen as a strong vote of confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s tourism potential. Industry participants are expected to explore new itineraries, assess infrastructure readiness and identify investment opportunities during the event.

State tourism leaders have expressed optimism that sustained engagement with national associations will help Andhra Pradesh secure long-term recognition as a preferred domestic travel destination.

Looking Ahead: A New Chapter for Andhra Pradesh Tourism

As Visakhapatnam readies itself to host the National Tourism Mart 2025, there is a palpable sense that the event marks the beginning of a new chapter for tourism in Andhra Pradesh. Beyond the business deals and presentations, the mart symbolises the State’s intent to tell its story with confidence, creativity and collaboration.

Andhra Pradesh is now not only aiming to be an informal tourist spot but also a place where the natural and cultural aspects, as well as the most modern tourism practices, are perfectly combined. The event National Tourism Mart might be the very moment when the State’s tourism desires will be clearly visualized for travelers and industry stakeholders.