Tag Archives: APTDC

Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, APTDC, has said that this is the time to commission a good study on domestic tourism, which details the action plan for the way forward to boost domestic tourism. Speaking at the second Digital Conclave by TravTalk, Lohani said, “Now is the time to commission a good study on domestic tourism, which is not too long but only 25-30 pages of action points. Then make all the states and stakeholders start following that. A lot of small things must be done. Collectively, they become very big and they impact the state. For energising domestic tourism, we need to have a very aggressive campaign, which can create that desire in the hearts of people to explore their own country.”

O2 Spa has announced it has signed an MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh that will see an investment of $1.75 million for a period of three years starting from October 2017. This investment is aimed at setting up of O2 Spa facilities across Andhra Pradesh wherein youth from the state will be trained and absorbed thus creating employment opportunities. This agreement was signed between O2 Spa and Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation at the Second Sunrise Andhra Pradesh Investment Meet that was held in Vizag. Girija Shankar, Managing Director of APTDC, was representing the Government. Ritesh Mastipuram, Founder and Managing Director, O2 Spa said, ”We will set up facilities across cities like Amravati, Vijaywada, Vizag to name a few within the next 3 years. The training aspects for the youths will be undertaken by O2 Skills Academy, an initiative of O2 Spa, primarily conceptualised to help meet the shortage of quality and skilled manpower in the spa and hospitality industry This collaboration will aim to provide employment linked, market oriented vocational training that will enable filling in the gaps.” O2 Spa is investing $15 million in expanding its operations in the country and aboard. The company will grow from its current base of 82 outlets in 18 cities to 150 outlets across 30 cities by FY 2016-2017. The expansion plans include addition of about 30 outlets in Tier I and 60 outlets in Tier II cities in India and more than 10 outlets abroad.