The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Tourist flow to State on the rise: Minister

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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Tourist flow to State on the rise: Minister

Special Correspondent

During 2007, 13,800 foreign tourists arrived

N. Suresh Rajan

CUDDALORE: The flow of tourists into Tamil Nadu has registered a growth of 22 per cent following efforts taken up by the Karunanidhi Government, said N. Suresh Rajan, Minister for Tourism.

Training

Speaking at the conclusion of the five-day summer beach fest “Neidhal-2008” here on Sunday, Mr. Rajan said during 2006 over 3.26 lakh domestic tourists and 11,500 foreign tourists visited the State and in 2007 thenumber rose to 4.32 lakh and 13,800 respectively.

Anna University had trained youths in guiding the tourists. Besides running 30 exclusive buses for various tourist destinations, facilities at the hotels too had been improved.

The tourism industry had contributed significantly to the economic growth of the State.

Referring to the potential in Cuddalore, Mr. Rajan said in the last two years tourism promotion works had been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.93 crore.

The Pichavaram tourist spot was being developed at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs, and the boat jetty and the childrens park being set up at a cost of Rs. 51.92 lakhs at Parangipettai were nearing completion.

The Minister promised to give a facelift to the Silver Beach and the Kanni Tamil tourist spot at Meenakshipettai near Kurinjipadi. He gave away prizes to cultural troupes that staged their performance during the course of the fete.

“Diversion needed”

Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said the festival provided a relief to the people from the daily grind. Cuddalore being an industrial area such healthy diversion was needed to get over stress. The beach festival could be conducted for a day or two every month, he said.

Fireworks display and folk dances marked the occasion.

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