The state tourism department is focusing on strengthening its infrastructure and encouraging public-private partnerships in the state, said V Vasant Kumar, tourism minister of Andhra Pradesh, in the inauguration of a travel exhibition in the city on Friday.

A "Hop on hop off" city tour package too was launched for tourists not willing to opt for full-day city tour packages. This facility will be available at 13 bus stations across the city, and allow travelers to pick the spots they want to visit. The price of tickets will range between Rs 150 and Rs 250.

Speaking at the event Sandeep Sultania, vice chairman and managing director of APTDC said that the state also had plans to expand its tourism and hotel management institutes- the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Nellore and State Institute of Hotel Management, Tirupati to increase the local manpower in the industry. He further said that a year-long schedule of special festivals had been planned to showcase AP's tourism hotspots.

Also present at the event were Chandana Khan, special chief secretary, tourism and Rajat Kumar, commissioner, tourism.