CHENNAI: The Tourism Department is keen to play the role of facilitator in hosting the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) convention here.

TAAI has sought the help of the Government and the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association to get enough rooms for the delegates.

The convention is coming to Chennai after 19 years and is reckoned to be one more chance to showcase the State's tourism potential and highlight issues of the hospitality industry.

Tentative schedule

The Government is considering holding the convention from September 28 to 30.

A meeting of representatives of the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association and TAAI office-bearers was held here on Wednesday, with Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan in the chair.

Tourism and Culture Secretary V. Irai Anbu, Secretary, Textiles, Viswanath Shegaonkar and Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni were present.

TAAI southern region chairman C.K. Ashok said steps were being taken to invite Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to inaugurate the convention. Of the 600 rooms required, 425 rooms had been made available. The TAAI has 2,250 members nationwide and 200 in the southern region.

SIHRA honorary secretary-general R. Rengachari, who attended the meeting, hoped that the convention would further boost the buoyant hospitality sector and take the Tamil Nadu Tourism brand equity, `Enchanting Tamil Nadu,' to a wider audience.

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