Many initiatives in the pipeline to transform tourism sector in Tamil Nadu, say Ministers

Tamil Nadu is set to take several initiatives to strengthen the tourism sector and promote diverse tourism opportunities across the State, Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar said on Sunday.

Speaking at the 75th anniversary celebrations of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) in Tiruchi, Mr. Kumar said Tamil Nadu had immense potential for tourism development. He described Tiruchi as one of the State’s important tourism destinations, noting the city attracted around 2.5 crore visitors.

He highlighted tourism’s contribution to economic growth and employment, noting that its benefits extended to various sections of society, including small businesses, local shops, and travel agents. “Tamil Nadu offered opportunities for various forms of tourism, including medical tourism, agricultural tourism and temple tourism; we are now planning River Tourism connecting the Thamirabarani and the Cauvery, besides developing devotional tourism covering important centres such as Velankanni and Nagore,” Mr. Rajesh said.

The government was considering free travel facilities for senior citizens as part of efforts to make tourism more inclusive and accessible, he said.

Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) S. Ramesh said travel agents played an important role in connecting people, cities, States, and countries while introducing travellers to different cultures and traditions. He said Tamil Nadu offered a remarkable tourism journey from Chennai to Kanniyakumari, covering beaches, temples, historical monuments, heritage sites, and scenic destinations.

Each district, he said, had its own distinctive attractions offering visitors unique experiences. Tiruchi, for instance, had several attractions, including Srirangam and Samayapuram temples, Kallanai and Mukkombu dams and Rockfort.

Mr. Ramesh stressed on the importance of food and local culinary traditions in promoting tourism. Srirangam, he pointed out, was known not only for its temple but also for its traditional cuisine, including the famous Akkaravadisal.

Tamil Nadu’s major temples, including those at Tiruchendur, Rameswaram, and Tiruvannamalai, attract devotees and tourists from across north India and other parts of the country. “We are working to take this tourism potential to the next level by attracting more visitors from other parts of India and abroad. The HR&CE and Tourism departments are working together to strengthen and promote these opportunities,” said Mr. Ramesh.

The Ministers released double diamond jubilee souvenir of the Travel Agents Association of India.

S.P. Rajendran, Chairman, TAAI – STC, R. Sunil Kumar, National President, TAAI, and D. Venkatesan, Regional Director, Indian Tourism – South, spoke.

G. Gopalakrishnan, Director, Tiruchi International Airport, was present.