The caravan tourism project is back on track and efforts are underway to speed it up. Suitable locations for setting up caravan parks across the country are being identified, and a coordination meeting between tourism, travel associations, transport and other departments involved in the project is scheduled for next week.
Tourism department officials have selected two locations for setting up ‘caravan parks’ as part of the project along the coastal road from Tenneti Park in Visakhapatnam to Bheemunipatnam. | Photo credit: File photo: KR DEEPAK
The tourism department has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tours & Travel Association, under which the travel association will provide the caravan vehicles while the tourism department will provide infrastructure and facilities for tourists as part of the revenue sharing arrangement.
In this regard, tourism authorities are in the process of selecting three to four scenic spots for setting up caravan parks, where caravan tourists can park their vehicles, cook and rest. Two sites have been selected, one on a hill (Hill View Caravan Park) and the other on the beach side (Sea Caravan Park), from Teneti Park to Bheemnipatnam. Another view point near Anjoda in the Araku valley will also be developed as a caravan park.
“Caravan tourism is extremely popular abroad. Kerala is the first state in India to start such tourism. The vehicles themselves are equipped with all amenities including toilets, kitchens, beds and TVs,” said Srinivasa Pani, regional director of the tourism department.
He said that as of now, they are yet to get some clearances from the Ministry of Transport regarding vehicle design, extension permit etc.
“A coordination meeting will be held next week to discuss the progress of the project,” he added.
Floating Restaurant
Meanwhile, some of the pending tourism projects are also likely to be accelerated. District Commissioner Harendira Prasad attended a review meeting to discuss the progress of existing projects, including a floating restaurant on the abandoned Bangladeshi ship MV Maa near Tenneti Park.
Officials informed that permissions are pending from the forest department and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) authorities. Tourism officials are also looking to revive the 40-seater ‘Visakha Boating’ project near the dry dock of the fishing port.
Water sports activities are likely to improve at Rushikonda. Currently, 2+1 seater speedboats operate on the beach. Authorities are considering introducing 5 and 6 seater speedboats.
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