Visakhapatnam: Tents providing shelter to tourists are trending now in tourist spots here in Andhra Pradesh.
Shortage of cottages, rooms and also the high cost for accommodation facilities at some luxury hotels and resorts are cited as reasons for growing demand for tents.
"We have four cottages at Lammasingi while more than 100 tents are available. A private agency takes care of the tents. We get Rs 300 as commission for each tent, which is leased out for Rs 1000 for 24 hours," AP Tourism Development Corporation divisional officer T. Baboji said.
Baboji further said that they are developing nearly 100 cottages at Lammasingi. The works are going on and nearly 20 percent of the works are remaining.
The demand for tents has grown after Visakhapatnam has started recording shivering temperature to as low as below 15 degrees Celsius during the past few days. Reason, tourists can enjoy the campfire in front of their tents.
"Araku registered minimum temperature of 12.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. The temperature will further fall in next few days," an IMD official told this newspaper.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Hyderabad-based RVM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center house surgeon Aishwarya Deva, who visited Araku along with her seven friends, said "It was a memorable experience for all of us. Morning sunrise at Vizag beach is awesome. We enjoyed the winter trip to Araku and its surrounding areas a lot. The Bamboo chicken made by tribal groups along the roadside in Araku is delicious."
The tourism stakeholders cash in on the chilly weather by offering special tour packages to tourism spots in Vizag agency.
Another tourist said "A cab charged Rs 7000 for seven of us to drop from Vizag railway station to Araku by covering some tourist spots like Borra Caves. This is too expensive, we felt."
On the other hand, the ITDA officials including project officer Gopala Krishna instructed the officials to ensure that the tents are pitched by only tribals as it's a source of living for them. The police and other government authorities strictly warned the tourists to not indulge in anti-social activities by misusing the tents.
Shivering Vizag
Minimum temperatures on Dec 15
Pedabayalu – 11.5 degrees Celsius
Araku – 12.1 degrees Celsius
GK Veedhi – 12.4 degree Celsius
Paderu – 13.6 degrees Celsius
Chintapalli – 14.4 degrees Celsius.
