VISAKHAPATNAM EAST COAST'S NEW CROWN JEWEL

With new investments pouring into the largest city of Andhra Pradesh and an established industrial hub, Visakhapatnam, also known as Vizag, is poised for rapid growth, and hospitality majors are eager to be part of the process.

- SUMAN TARAFDAR

Is there a new 'jewel on the East Coast'?

Located midway between two of India's largest eastern coastal cities, Visakhapatnam-better known as Vizag-is far more than a staging post between Kolkata and Chennai. As Andhra Pradesh's largest city and de facto capital (there is no clarity yet on the simple question-what is the capital of Andhra Pradesh!), Visakhapatnam has a strong claim as the state's growth driver. Current chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, credited with putting Hyderabad on the global map during his earlier tenure as CM of the pre-bifurcated state, is now expected to do the same for the truncated state and its largest city.

Already a major industrial hub, Visakhapatnam is one of India's designated 'smart cities' and is witnessing rapid, multi-sectoral investment and growth. The city has been named at the top spot in LinkedIn's inaugural Cities on the Rise report, which identifies India's fastest-growing non-metro cities in terms of professional opportunities.

It is equally a regional tourism powerhouse. In 2023, the Visakhapatnam region accounted for about 24% of Andhra Pradesh's total tourist inflow-nearly 61 million visitors, according to JLL. With its long coastline, pristine beaches, adventure tourism opportunities, rolling hills on three sides, and deep historic roots, the city only needs a stronger infrastructure push (already underway) and sharper branding to emerge as a leading destination nationally and internationally.