By Sujatha Varma
For those yearning to escape the monotony and explore life off the beaten path, caravanning offers an ideal escape. Recognising the growing demand for experiential travel, the government is now formulating a policy to facilitate the operation of caravans across the State to promote sustainable tourism and unlock new avenues for adventure seekers.
The policy is currently under legal vetting and officials of the Tourism Department say it may take a couple of weeks for its approval by the State Cabinet before these vehicles, equipped with luxury and comfort, begin to crisscross Andhra Pradesh roads.
A tourism caravan, flagged off by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on the sidelines of a tourism conclave recently was the cynosure of all eyes. Stepping into the world of comfort and style that rivals hotel suites, visitors were greeted by plush interiors with thoughtfully designed layouts. Soft, upholstered seating lined the lounge area, convertible into cozy sleeping arena, while ambient lighting cast a warm, inviting glow. A compact kitchenette, a wash basin and a ceramic toilet, besides a genset to power the caravan when parked facilitate smooth functioning of the mobile campers.
One of the most delightful features of a caravan is the awning, the extension that transforms a simple stop into a comfortable, open-air living space. 鈥淲ith a quick setup, the awning will create a shaded, weather-protected area right outside your door, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort,鈥 said J. Kalyan Kumar Reddy, founder and chairman of Hyderabad Luxe Caravans, a company that designs and builds caravans.
A native of Nandyal district, Mr. Reddy鈥檚 firm is building two vehicles to be operated in Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with the Tourism Department in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. Each vehicle is a 10-seater and has room for seven people to sleep.
While final modalities of the project are yet to be worked out between the Tourism Department and Hyderabad Luxe Caravans, Mr. Reddy says depending on the demand, more vehicles would be added at a later stage.
Tourism officials said that the first two vehicles would start operating around Suryalanka Beach in Bapatla district and Gandikota in Kadapa district by August. 鈥淭he plan is to introduce 20 such upscale touring vehicles in the next four years,鈥 said an official from the Tourism Department.