Hyderabad, Feb 14 : The government of Telangana plans to offer incentives to investors willing to invest to develop tourism in semi-urban and rural areas.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday asked Tourism Department to work out details in this regard.

At a review meeting on tourism, he proposed the introduction of houseboats in the backwaters of Nagarjuna Sagar and the transformation of Telangana into a destination for weddings.

He said tourism should not only generate revenue for the state but also serve as a resource for providing employment opportunities to the youth across various regions.

The Chief Minister suggested that the Tourism Department integrate Telangana's rich history with contemporary developments to pave the way for the future.

He asked the tourism department to coordinate with departments like Forests, Information Technology, Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), Health and Sports while finalising the tourism policy to ensure that the policies of one department do not hinder those of another.

He suggested that adventure sports should be given prominence within the Tourism Department. The Chief Minister also directed that all necessary arrangements be made to facilitate medical tourists from abroad. He assured that budget allocations for the Tourism Department would be increased.

The Chief Minister noted that despite possessing numerous attractions capable of drawing tourists, previous efforts lacked innovative thinking and adequate promotion, resulting in less-than-expected progress in this sector.

The Chief Minister highlighted the significance of temples and tiger sanctuaries in tourism and instructed officials to focus on these areas and implement necessary measures.

He emphasized the importance of improving facilities and ensuring proper promotion at various tourist spots, including temples like Bhadrachalam, Saleshwaram, and Ramappa; waterfalls such as Mallela Theertham and Bogatha; Buddhist stupas; and Jain temples.

The Chief Minister also sought information about the progress of the Bhongir Fort ropeway project. Officials informed him that there was a delay in land acquisition, but with the process now complete, tenders would be invited soon.

The CM instructed that tenders be called promptly and that necessary measures be taken to preserve the historical structures atop the fort.

The review meeting was attended by Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Chief Minister's Advisor Vem Narender Reddy, State Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, Government Advisor (Infrastructure) Srinivasa Raju, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister V. Seshadri, Tourism Secretary Smita Sabharwal and Secretary to CM Chandrasekhar Reddy, Joint Secretary to the Chief Minister Sangeeta Satyanarayana and Tourism Development Corporation MD Prakash Reddy and others

/IANS