The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : FSI relaxation likely for hospitality sector

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Sunday, Nov 25, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

FSI relaxation likely for hospitality sector

Special Correspondent

Suresh Rajan to take it up with Chief Minister

— Photo: R. Ragu

Promoting tourism: Tourism and Culture Secretary V. Irai Anbu (right) having a word with Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan at a symposium organised in Chennai on Saturday. Information Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi and president of the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association M.P. Purushothaman are in the picture.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Government will examine the feasibility of extending the relaxation of floor space index (FSI) accorded to the Information Technology sector to the hospitality sector as well, Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan said here on Saturday.

Responding to a plea made by president of the South India Hotels and Restaurants Association (SIH&RA) M.P. Purushothaman, Mr. Rajan said he would take up the FSI relaxation issue with the Chief Minister and obtain a favourable order. This would encourage more hotels to set up base in the State.

Addressing a symposium on ‘Strategies for the growth of hospitality industry and tourism in Tamil Nadu,’ organised by the Tamil Nadu Tourism and SIH&RA, the Minister said the Government would continue to play a pro-active role in the hospitality sector. “We are with you and you can bank upon us.”

The Minister said the Government had made huge budgetary allocation for developing lesser known tourist spots covering Yelagiri, Chinna Suruli, Kovai Courtalam, Kallanai, and Kazhugumalai to make them attractive for tourism-related investments.

He said soft loan at the rate of 0.1 per cent interest per annum for first five years to pay sales tax by the investors of tourism projects in lesser known tourist places would be sanctioned. “We expect Yelagiri, Yercaud, Hogenakkal, Pichavaram, Pulicat, Javvadu and Kolli hills and other pollution-free spots to become hubs of tourism-related activities.”

Inaugurating the symposium, the Information and Urban Development Minister Parithi Ilamvazhuthi assured hotel promoters that the Government would extend all support for the hospitality sector.

Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy in his key-note address said the Government was in the process of addressing the infrastructural gaps to help provide an impetus to tourism promotion. A master plan was being prepared with the help of HUDCO and was expected to be ready by the end of 2008.

Mr. Purushothaman said Tamil Nadu had emerged as a popular destination registering an upward trend in arrivals, which shot up to 13.35 lakh in 2006 compared to 7.86 lakh foreign tourists in 2000.

Tourism and Culture Secretary V. Irai Anbu said the Government was chalking out promotional schemes catering to suit both high end and budget tourists.

Director of Tourism and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) M. Rajaram wanted the hospitality industry to partner with the Government to help in the protection of ecology and environment to further boost tourism.

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