Calls for improved publicity, signboards and better utilisation of tourism buses
HYDERABAD, MARCH 10, 2026: The Telangana Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Tuesday said the State government was committed to strengthening the tourism sector and positioning Telangana as a leading destination in the country.
Chairing a review meeting at the office of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC) in Himayatnagar, the Minister held discussions with Chairman Patel Ramesh Reddy, Managing Director Kranti Valluri and senior officials on tourism development initiatives across the State.
The review covered issues such as the development of tourist destinations, improvement of infrastructure, utilisation of tourism assets, promotion and publicity, revenue generation, the functioning of Haritha Hotels and the status of pending works. The Minister also examined the availability of basic facilities such as direction signboards, food courts and tourism information centres at major tourist spots.
Officials were asked to further improve amenities, including boating facilities, cottages, viewpoints and the management of Haritha Hotels at tourist destinations.
Mr. Krishna Rao said the government was giving high priority to tourism development and called upon officials to prepare plans aimed at increasing tourist footfall while enhancing facilities for visitors. He stressed the need for focused branding and promotion in line with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s vision of placing Telangana prominently on the global tourism map.
The Minister asked officials to study the promotional strategies adopted by other States and strengthen publicity for Telangana’s tourist attractions accordingly.
He directed the department to install directional signboards across the State to help tourists reach major destinations without difficulty. Besides indicating routes, the signboards should briefly explain the historical and cultural significance of the locations, he said. Emphasising the importance of preserving the State’s cultural heritage, Mr. Krishna Rao suggested organising cultural programmes at tourist centres to promote traditional art forms and support local artists. “Our arts, language and traditions are symbols of our identity and must be preserved for future generations,” he said, adding that steps should be taken to provide recognition and financial support to artists. He also proposed the construction of Amphitheatres (open theatres), at prominent tourist destinations to host cultural performances.
The Minister also reviewed the operation of buses run by the Tourism Department on various routes and enquired about revenue generation. Officials informed him that income had declined after the Government of Andhra Pradesh discontinued tourism packages for pilgrims visiting the Tirumala Temple. Expressing displeasure, Mr. Krishna Rao said buses purchased at considerable cost should not remain idle and asked officials to explore special packages and alternative routes to improve revenue.
He also reviewed the progress of about 84 tourism projects being implemented under State and Centrally sponsored schemes. Enquiring about works that had received administrative approval but were still at the tender stage, the Minister directed officials to expedite the process and ensure early commencement of works. To monitor implementation, he instructed officials to submit daily status reports from the headquarters and emphasised the need to accelerate project execution. Warning against negligence, he said strict action would be taken against officials found delaying works.
The Minister also asked the department to identify idle tourism assets and explore ways to bring them into productive use. Officials were advised to examine the feasibility of developing facilities such as hotels, hospitality centres, wellness centres and amusement parks to attract visitors and generate revenue.
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