Bapatla District Collector V. Vinod Kumar on Saturday (June 13, 2026) described the publication of a full-page ‘Andhra Pradesh In Focus’ feature on the district’s tourism potential in The Hindu as a landmark moment for Bapatla, saying the recognition reflected the rapid growth of the sector and the increasing popularity of the district among visitors.

Referring to the story published in The Hindu on June 13, 2026, under the headline “Sun and Sand: Bapatla Beckons Tourists with Beach Tourism”, the Collector said it was a special day for the district. Addressing a gathering at a Yogandhra event, he noted that it was the first time a national English daily had carried a full-page feature exclusively on Bapatla district, focusing on its tourism assets, including the Suryalanka and Chirala beaches, and emerging investment opportunities.

Mr. Vinod Kumar said tourist footfall had increased significantly over the past two months, attributing the rise to the confidence visitors had developed in the safety and security arrangements at Suryalanka Beach. He highlighted the government’s sustained efforts to promote tourism and improve infrastructure in the district.

“The time is ripe to witness tourism-led development in Bapatla,” he said, adding that government departments, local communities, media organisations and entrepreneurs should work together to further strengthen the sector.

The Collector said crores of rupees were being spent on developing Suryalanka, Chirala and other beaches in the district into attractive tourism destinations. Special emphasis was being laid on ensuring the safety of women and children, with professional swimmers and police personnel deployed to prevent drowning and save lives.

He said the growth of tourism would create new business opportunities, enhance per capita income and contribute to the overall economic development of the district. The increasing importance of tourism, he added, had also led to a rise in land values in recent times, reflecting growing investor interest in Bapatla’s coastal belt.