Ajeya Sharma
Timeline: 3 days
Brand Overview: With a mission to attract both domestic and international travelers, AP Tourism is dedicated to promoting the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and unique attractions of Andhra Pradesh, India.
Project Requirement: When I was approached for the website redesign, the brief was simple: "Make exploring Andhra Pradesh easy and exciting for everyone." The goal was to ensure the site wasn't just informative but also enticing enough to encourage people to explore AP.
Problem with existing website
The original website had valuable information but lacked the engagement factor needed for today’s digital traveler. Our challenge was to create a design that was visually appealing, user-friendly, and aligned with international standards.
Research & Inspiration
To bring fresh perspectives to the design, I drew inspiration from globally renowned tourism websites like Spain Collection My Switzerland Como Parrot Cay
vibrant visuals
minimalistic layouts
intuitive navigation
emphasis on storytelling
Design Goals
Ease of Navigation: Make it easy for users to find destinations, activities, and information.
Visual Storytelling: Use striking visuals to highlight Andhra Pradesh’s landscapes, attractions, and cultural heritage.
Interactive Exploration: Incorporate interactive elements to immerse users in the travel experience before they even set foot in Andhra Pradesh.
Conversion Focus: Encourage booking tours, accommodations, and contacting guides directly through the site.
Homepage Redesign
I wanted the homepage to feel like an invitation to explore!
Hero Section: A full-width, captivating background image of Andhra Pradesh's landscapes, paired with the tagline, "Where every journey tells a story." This sets an emotional tone, connecting with users on a sensory level and inviting them to start exploring.
Quick Search Functionality: A centered search bar with options like "Where are you going?" allows users to quickly look for destinations and find relevant information, reducing browsing friction.
Categories for Exploration: Cards for "Nature," "Wildlife," and "Beaches" make it easy for visitors to jump into specific categories without being overwhelmed by choices. Each category has a background image, capturing the essence of Andhra Pradesh’s beauty.
Key Attractions Section
We transformed this section to feel more like an online travel magazine than a list of places.
First Big Image with Description: We used high-quality images and brief descriptions of major attractions, like Gandikota, to bring a sense of place for the user. These images aren’t just placeholders; they are windows into the experiences visitors can expect. (interactive)
Grid Layout for Diversity: Smaller tiles of other attractions create a visually appealing grid, encouraging users to explore beyond the major landmarks.
Dynamic “Show More” Option: For those looking to explore in-depth, a "Show More" button expands the section, loading more destinations without cluttering the page.
Must-See Places with Interactive Map
We introduced an interactive map of Andhra Pradesh, allowing users to explore regions visually.
Map Pins: Pins highlight key tourist destinations. Hovering over each pin shows a thumbnail and a short description.
Personalized Recommendations: Users can filter the map by preferences—such as “Nature,” “Adventure,” or “Cultural Heritage”—tailoring their experience based on interests.
Footer Design
The footer is optimized with essential links and contact details, helping users find information quickly. Social media icons connect to Andhra Pradesh Tourism’s social profiles, providing additional channels for discovery and engagement.
Results & Takeaways
This redesign emphasized aesthetics, usability, and conversions, all contributing to a tourism website that feels premium, professional, and world-class. The new design offers a modern, responsive experience, showcasing Andhra Pradesh in a way that rivals top international tourism websites.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with increases in site engagement, session duration, and bookings directly from the site.
P.S.
Creating an exceptional tourism website for Andhra Pradesh was an exercise in combining visual appeal with functional design.
This project wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about creating an experience that inspires visitors to pack their bags and explore. By focusing on seamless navigation, engaging visuals, and immersive exploration features, we succeeded in turning the Andhra Pradesh Tourism website into a true gateway to adventure.