|
 The fact that tourism is big business has dawned on the TN tourism
department only now. Till recently, TN was way behind in tourism development.
Recognising its strength, Kerala started paying attention to tourism development and the State is becoming the No.1 destination for foreign tourists. Though TN boasts of a number of excellent tourist spots, scant attention was paid, till recently, for developing or maintaining these places. However, left with no choice, the Tourism department. is pulling out all stops to make TN a preferred tourist destination.
A number of new schemes are being announced regularly. The Hon'ble Minister, A. Miller, has announced that villages will be developed to make them tourist attractions. As a first step, Thiruvadavur in Madurai district, Purisai in Thiruvannamalai, Sirunkundram in Kancheepuram, Suddha Malli in Tirunelveli, Thirumallaikeni in Dindigul and Deiva Seyalpuram in Tuticorin are being taken up for development, under this scheme.
 A forest abode, for tourists, at a cost of Rs. 34.45 lakhs is being planned at the Kodiakarai bird sanctuary in Nagapattinam. The government has decided to introduce house boats, similar to the ones in Kerala. In the first stage, Pykara, Muttukadu and Kodaikanal will have these house boats. The minister has announced that Rs. 46 lakhs will be spent, on renovating the Gingee Fort, to attract tourists.
Introduction of water sports, this year, in the lakes in Kodaikanal. Ooty and Kolavai is on the agenda. Also being planned is hang gliding at
St. Thomas Mount, in May, this year. The Tourism department is also planning to bring out a tourist guide detailing important places in Tamil Nadu, the people and their lifestyles. Touch-screen kiosks for all tourism-related information are being set up, at
strategic locations. There is one such kiosk at the Tourism Information
Centre.
 To provide proper guidance and information to tourists, 80 guides are to be selected and trained at the Anna Management Institute. An 'Ethnic Village' in Chennai spread over 632 hectares is being proposed. A convention centre, shopping plazas,
Disney land, handicrafts from all over the country, boutiques, art gallery, a yoga centre, prayer and meditation halls, food courts, Tourist Information Centre, a golf course and a helipad are some of the facilities being planned, in this 'village'.
The Tourism department has earmarked 632 hectares of land on the East Coast Road, for this purpose. The government has not only announced a number of new initiatives, but is also concentrating on renovation/sprucing up of existing facilities. It has also been decided to lease out the government-owned hotels to private service providers with a view to providing quality service to tourists.
Nineteen hotels in Mandapam, Sriperumbudur, Vaigai dam, Virudhunagar, Kothagiri, Conoor, Mettupalayam, Mettur dam, Sathanur dam, Namakkal, Tirukazhukundram, Uthirakosamangai, Kodai road, Vedanthangal, Ranipet, Tirunelveli, Sathur, Pudukottai and Koodalur have been leased to private parties.
 Apart from this
initiative, attractive schemes like 20% off on tariff, breakfast on the house, etc. have been announced in the remaining hotels. The government's decision to set up liquor shops in airports may not be a good one. If this is also handed over to private parties, the government can get sizeable revenues - rent, sales tax, surcharge, etc. People in the industry also feel that the government should reduce the 25% service tax on tourists and look at other avenues for increasing its revenue.
The 'Bed & Breakfast' concept is to be implemented. This will help local people to earn, by letting out their
house (s). The department is inviting applications from house owners and based on the eligibility criteria, the hosts will be selected.
 "The TN government has made a budget allocation of Rs. 26 crores in this financial year. This amount will be used for renovating roads and buildings, tourism development and promos and advertising. The focus will be on attracting tourists, domestic as well as foreign. There is allocation for development of beaches, with the tourists in mind. We will work with private sector companies. We invite private sector companies to join us. At present, TN ranks third as a tourist attraction, in the country. Our goal is to become the no.1 in the country," says
V. Varaprasada Rao, Commissioner TN Tourism Board.
A number of tourist spots are ill maintained - no proper drinking water and toilet facilities, improper shelter, etc. Maintenance services should be handed over to private parties for effective service. Hotels do not keep any tourist guides (books). This is another area that requires immediate attention.
One cannot but agree that the plans put forth by the tourism department are really commendable. One hopes that these plans do not stop with being just plans, but are implemented. The onus is on the TN government to ensure that these plans are implemented effectively and in time!
Saravanan
Tr.Ellar
|
