Andhra Pradesh Tourism marked a strong presence at the recently held India Today Tourism Summit & Awards 2026 at Taj Cidade De Goa Heritage, Goa.

At the awards ceremony, Andhra Pradesh received a prestigious national recognition for Araku as the ‘Most Instagrammable Landscape’.

The award was presented to Ms. Padma Rani Seela, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority, by Union Tourism Minister Mr Gajendra Singh Shekhawat along with Goa’s chief minister Mr Pramod Sawant.

At the summit Ms. Padma Rani gave a presentation on “The Andhra Model for Tourism” highlighting the State’s rapid growth trajectory, policy-driven approach, and its focus on building a globally competitive, sustainable, and experience-driven tourism ecosystem.

With the growing influence of Instagram and other social media platforms on travel decisions, destinations that capture visual appeal and shareability are gaining unprecedented importance.

In this context, Araku Valley being recognized as one of the ‘Most Instagrammable Landscapes’, assumes great significance and further reinforces Andhra Pradesh’s rising popularity as a must-visit tourism destination.

“This recognition not only highlights the natural beauty and unique charm of Araku but also reflects the success of the state’s recent promotional strategies” said Ms Padma Rani.

She further added that focused campaigns involving social media influencers and targeted digital outreach have played a crucial role in amplifying visibility and engagement among travellers, particularly the younger demographic.

Adding to the experience, an Araku Coffee Souvenir, symbolizing Andhra Pradesh’s rich coffee heritage, was presented to the Governor of Goa, Mr Pusapati Ashok Gajapati Raju, along with other distinguished guests.