Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Andhra Hospitality Body Seeks GST Relief, Visit Vizag Campaign
A hotel and restaurant group in Andhra Pradesh wants help with a tax problem.
Hotels pay GST on things such as rent, repairs and equipment.
The group says they cannot claim enough of this tax back.
As a result, running hotels becomes more expensive.
It asked the state government to seek changes from the GST Council.
The group also wants a “Visit Vizag” campaign to bring more tourists and business visitors to Visakhapatnam.
It suggested promoting weddings, conferences and spiritual trips.
It also offered to help train workers for the hospitality industry.
HRAAP urged Andhra Pradesh to seek GST input tax credit relief for hotels.
The association said GST costs on rentals, renovations and equipment are raising operating expenses.
HRAAP proposed a “Visit Vizag” campaign promoting Visakhapatnam for tourism and business.
The campaign would target Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, along with MICE and wedding tourism.
The association also requested hospitality skill-development programmes and coordination among tourism stakeholders.
- Who
- The Hotels and Restaurants Association of Andhra Pradesh (HRAAP), represented by president M.V. Pavan Kartheek.
- What
- HRAAP sought GST input tax credit relief and proposed a tourism promotion campaign for Visakhapatnam.
- When
- The requests were made in a representation and a separate memorandum; the articles do not provide dates.
- Where
- The representation was submitted to Andhra Pradesh Special Chief Secretary Shamsher Singh Rawat, concerning Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam.
- Why
- HRAAP said limited input tax credit is increasing hotel costs and discouraging investment, while tourism promotion could raise visitor numbers and hotel occupancy.
- Association
- Hotels and Restaurants Association of Andhra Pradesh (HRAAP)
- Tax request
- State intervention with the GST Council to extend input tax credit to the hospitality sector
- Proposed campaign
- “Visit Vizag” to promote Visakhapatnam as a tourism and business destination
- Target markets
- Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal
- Tourism segments
- MICE tourism, destination weddings, and temple and spiritual circuits
- Additional request
- Skill-development programmes to address hospitality manpower needs
- Government coordination
- HRAAP called for coordination among AP Tourism, GVMC, VMRDA and industry stakeholders