The Hindu : Front Page : Tourism department fine-tunes its marketing strategy to woo tourists

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Monday, Nov 27, 2006
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Tourism department fine-tunes its marketing strategy to woo tourists

R. Ilangovan

MAJOR ATTRACTION: A view of Yercaud Lake. - Photo:P. Goutham

YERCAUD: `Vanakkam,' the tingling Tamil phrase that greets people with traditional folded hands will soon be flavoured with warmth and affection to woo guests, both domestic and foreign tourists, to special places of attraction.

The Tamil Nadu Government's Department of Tourism has drawn up some ambitious plans to undertake an initiative to market its catchy slogan `Enchanting Tamil Nadu' at the global level. The Tourism department has been improving infrastructure facilities of various hill stations including Yercaud in Salem district.

The tourists who visit places such as Yercaud, Udhagamandalam, Kodaikanal and Kanyakumari will soon have the rare opportunity of enjoying nature in its full majesty as rope cars would be installed here at a total cost of Rs. 46 crore.

The department will also identify 400 educated youths who have a flair for English, and rope them in for a stint of training as `tourist guides.' Eligible candidates can right now approach the respective tourism offices.

It has also chalked out another mega plan to impress the tourists. Under the catchy slogan `Virunthinar Potru, Virunthinar Potru' (Hail Guests! Hail Guests!), it has decided to inculcate the traits of affection, decency, softness and responsibility in railway porters, canteen and hotel bearers, auto drivers and others with whom the tourists come into contact, the moment they set foot in these places. The Department, according to its secretary V. Iraianbu, who was in Yercaud recently, has in coordination with various Union Ministries, plans to undertake massive infrastructure development works at tourist centres such as Mamallapuram, Kanyakumari, Vellore, Madurai, Kancheepuram and Thanjavur, where heritage tourism is being promoted.

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