Andhra Pradesh tourism will soon host a new luxury hotel on Vizag shores as the world’s oldest aircraft carrier, INS Viraat is set to be revamped into a 500-room luxury property this year. Designed by the British and launched in 1953, the century old ship has served as a world class carrier to the Indian Navy transporting 26 fighter planes, helicopters with 16 Sea Harriers and Chetaks, and will now be inducted into India’s tourism league. Likely to dock on the shores of Vishakhapatnam, the ship will start undergoing the refurbishment post it’s decommissioning in June 2016. Slated to house 500 swanky suites and rooms, it is said the hotel will tell historic tales of the Indian Navy and the battles waged by the country’s courageous naval guards. This will be the second time a naval vessel is converted into a tourist destination; INS Vikrant, which was the first Indian aircraft carrier, was transformed into a museum post being decommissioned in 1997. The present government is surely upping the tourism game. Set to add glory to Vishakhapatnam’s scenic coast, which already features the country’s first submarine museum and a lighthouse overlooking the Bay of Bengal, we’re holding our breaths for the first look at INS Viraat post makeover.
