The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Major tourism plan for Tamil Nadu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Major tourism plan for Tamil Nadu

Special Correspondent

Cable cars in Ooty, Kodaikanal by December

CHENNAI: Introduction of cable cars in Udhagamandalam and Kodaikanal hill resorts by December this year, and development of Madurai, Thanjavur, Kanyakumari and Vellore as major tourist destinations with assistance from the Union Tourism Ministry are some of the initiatives announced by State Tourism Minister, N. Suresh Rajan, here on Monday.

Participating in the discussion when the State Tourism demand was moved in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, the Minister said during 2006-2007, upgradation of major hotels at Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal, Kanyakumari, Rameswaram, Madurai, Yercaud and Mamallapuram would be taken up.

A fleet of 10 deluxe Volvo air-conditioned buses would be purchased at a cost of Rs.1.5 crore as for operations by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC).

A state-wide master plan for improving existing tourism projects and developing new ones would be formulated, Mr. Rajan said adding that sound and light shows would be introduced in Thanjavur and Kanyakumari at a total cost of Rs. 375 lakh.

Medical tourism

Lesser-known beachfronts would be developed, with focus on developing heritage and medical tourism. The Government had already identified Chennai, Vellore and Coimbatore as centres to be promoted under medical tourism.

"The Government will initiate steps to put Chennai and Tuticorin ports on the international cruise map," Mr. Rajan added.

The Tourism department would continue the policy of encouraging private sector participation in the construction of hotels. There were 29 hotel projects in the pipeline, of which five would be in the five star category, 2 four star, 3 three star and 2 single star.

While proposing to implement a comprehensive e-Governance project in the State tourism sector, the Minister said the TTDC had permitted to franchise 31 hotels and 10 restaurants. The TTDC has franchised 14 hotels and 5 restaurants till date through transparent tenders. procedure. In addition to this, two hotels at Tiruchi (Unit-II) and Thanjavur (Unit-II) have been given on long-term lease arrangement for a period of 30 years.

"Steps are being taken to franchise the remaining 17 hotels and 5 restaurants with a focus to improve maintenance standards and customer service at the TTDC hotels," the Minister added.

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