Tamil Nadu   

Special measures helped TTDC earn Rs. 8.6 crore profit

Special Correspondent

32nd edition of the Tourism and Industrial Exhibition opens

CHENNAI: Special measures such as slashing tax burden for hospitality industry, more investment on infrastructure development and attention to basic amenities at tourist spots have helped the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) earn Rs. 8.6 crore profit this year.

TTDC Chairman Adhi Rajaram told the inaugural function of the 32nd edition of the Tourism and Industrial Exhibition here on Wednesday that the event aimed at offering entertainment, information and knowledge-oriented experience to visitors. Besides 39 stalls by Government agencies, this year's exhibition will have 120 private participants, he said. While entry tickets for adults is Rs. 5, it is Rs. 3 for children. The exhibition will be open between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. on week days and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on week-ends.

Mr. Rajaram listed the TTDC's tie-up with the Tirupati Tirumalai Devasthanam for undertaking daily trips from Chennai and online reservation facility for hotel accommodation, besides the purchase of new boats and luxury buses, as the achievements of the corporation.

Tourism Minister A. Miller inaugurated the event. India accounted for less than one per cent of the global tourism revenue, he said adding that the Government had spent Rs. 139.6 crores during the past four years on various tourism-related projects in the State. Rural tourism was accorded top priority and places such as Kazhugumalai, Chettinadu and Devipattinam were getting a facelift. A sum of Rs. 96 lakh ad Rs. 1.5 crore was earmarked for improving the sound and light shows at Tirumalai Naicker Mahal in Madurai and the Big Temple in Thanjavur respectively, he said.

Inbatamizhan, Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, said the State had introduced sports ranking system for students of VI, VII and VIII standards. Eligible students were adopted by the Sports Development Authority for training, he added. International tennis and hockey tournaments have placed Chennai on global sports map and stadia in the State are being upgraded to international quality, he said.

V. Varaprasada Rao, Secretary, Department of Information and Tourism, wanted departments participating in the event to complete stall works expeditiously so that people in large numbers could visit the exhibition and get to know the achievements of the Government. For the first time, separate sports and science pavilions had been put up and the Reserve Bank of India too was participating in the event.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Rallying for a social cause
Nature knows no bias
Web-based education planned by varsity
Special measures helped TTDC earn Rs. 8.6 crore profit
Heart surgery done with epidural anaesthesia
Artist honoured
"Music enchants everyone"
Stepped up security for Social Welfare Minister
Plan to set up new facility in Cuddalore sparks row
Briefly

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu