Hyderabad, May 13 (IANS): Aiming to be the most preferred tourism destination, Andhra Pradesh launched tourism projects worth Rs.1,800 crore in 2015, officials said on Friday.

Work has already commenced on 160 such projects, all involving private investment.

In its bid to facilitate infrastructural development, the government initiated over 90 projects involving investment of more than Rs.190 crore during the same period.

Leading hospitality brands are coming up with five-star properties in the state. These include ITC Ltd., which is building a 150-room hotel, Accor Group whose 200-room property is coming up in Vijayawada, and The Taj with a 133-room capacity in Chittoor district.

Three-star properties with convention facilities are coming up in places like Visakhapatnam, Chittoor and Vijayawada.

Cumulatively, the state has seen investments from 29 hotels in 3- to 5-star categories, spread across the tourist hubs of Visakhapatnam, Konaseema-Rajahmundry-Kakinada, Amaravati-Vijayawada, Tirupati-Nellore and Ananthapuramu-Kurnool-Kadapa.

Aiming for holistic tourism development, Andhra Pradesh has also received investments in several water and adventure sports. 

These include jeep parasailing, jet-skiing, speed boats and other water sport activities in Visakhapatnam, amphibious vehicle in Rajahmundry and Vijayawada, sea plane in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Vijayawada, waterfall rappelling and rock climbing in Chittoor.

The state also held 30 festivals and cultural events across all districts to promote tourism.

"The overwhelming response from various investors stands testimony to our sustained efforts to establish Andhra Pradesh as an investment-friendly destination," said Tourism and Culture Secretary Neerabh Kumar Prasad.