Rs. 2.5 cr. tourist information centre inauguration tomorrow

By T.S. Shankar

CHENNAI, FEB. 20. Billed as the first of its kind in the country, the Rs. 2.5 crore Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex, a one-stop information kiosk, will be declared open by the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, on Thursday.

The multi-storeyed structure located next to Kalaivanar Arangam on Wallajah Road, has been constructed with Central Government's assistance to the tune of Rs. 70 lakhs, the State Government providing Rs. 24 lakhs, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, giving Rs. 36 lakhs and the balance Rs. 120 lakhs raised as a loan from the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Finance Development Corporation.

Mr. R. Kasinathan, Chairman and Managing Director of TTDC, told The Hindu here today that it would have a ``touch screen'' facility that would provide on-the- spot information about TTDC properties and other private star hotels, tourist attractions in the State, and the required tourist related data including the tariff.

A CD Rom that would provide an insight on Tamil Nadu to help popularise the State as a major destination in the South will be released by the Chief Minister besides a quarterly news letter on Tamil Nadu Tourism.

Explaining that apart from the presence of the sales counter of the TTDC, the offices of the Directorate of Tourism and the TTDC, Mr. Kasinathan said the complex would provide space for housing the Government of India Regional Tourist Office, and the existing information kiosks of various other States scattered in different parts of the city.

Discussions are on to provide space for accommodating railway and airlines reservation counters.

``We are planning to network the TTDC sales counter at the Central Railway station and the LLA Building with the new complex sales office to make the complex as tourist friendly as possible,'' Mr. Kasinathan said adding that the complex had provisions for future expansion.

At present, the TTDC, he said had a fleet strength of 24 coaches, 49 hotels, and 26 tours.

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