‘Tamil Nadu Is The First State To Use Technology In Promoting Tourism’

Tamil Nadu is now emerging as a possible competitor to most of its counterparts in southern India, with a dynamic approach towards tourism development. A Miller, Tamil Nadu's Tourism Minister, speaks about the initiatives outlined to achieve the same.

Tamil Nadu has kept a low profile till recently when it comes to tourism. Now with tourism booming all over, what kind of positioning is being planned for the state?

Tamil Nadu is not being re-positioned but rather being positioned properly. The state is known for its multi faring tourist destinations. Previously Tamil Nadu was looked at as a transit path and was not well recognised by the foreign tourists. The state has been blessed with some natural attractions in the form of beaches and architecture. Breaking free from traditional thinking, the board has come up with captivating ideas that are taking Tamil Nadu tourism to new heights. 'Enchanting Tamil Nadu' initiated on October 2003 has become the new banner under which the tourism board is taking bold strides into uncharted territory. Unearthing the state's `hidden treasures' has become a prime focus area of the tourism board, so has eco-tourism and medical tourism. Tamil Nadu is the first state to use technology in promoting tourism. We have online booking facility with instant confirmation of the same. We are in the process of installing this in all our centers to assist both the domestic and foreign tourists.

What initiatives have you taken to promote tourism in Tamil Nadu?

It is proposed to conduct Travel Mart for the first time in Chennai during 2005-2006 with the participation of private agencies at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs in order to attract tourists. It is also proposed to buy new PCs for the tourist offices in Chennai, Kodaikanal, Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Madurai and Commissionerate of Tourism during the year 2005-2006 at a cost of Rs 5 lakhs.

Which areas have you identified for tourism development?

During 2005-2006 in the first phase, we will develop the Chennai Pilgrimage Circuit consisting of Thiruvidanthai, Thirumazhisai, Thirunindravur, Koyambedu, Melur, Thirumullaivoil, Vallakottai and Thiruvotriyur at a cost of Rs 30 lakhs.

We will also be developing Hogenakkal Water falls area at a cost of Rs 150 lakhs. The refurbishment of the Kattabomman Memorial Fort at Panchalankurichi at a cost of Rs 11 lakhs will be carried out, and we will also develop Elagiri Hills at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs.

How are you planning to create awareness about the state in the country?

We have tourist information offices in most cities and in the coming year we plan to install fax machines at five tourist information centres at Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Guwahati and Varanasi at a cost of Rs 1 lakh.

Which markets are you focussing on currently and how? What are your strategies to tap different market segments? How feasible and beneficial has your approach been?

The focus is currently the Northern, Eastern and Western regions of India to highlight that there are unexplored virgin destinations apart from the golden triangle and Goa. In the international frontier we are targeting Europe and South East Asia with Heritage tourism. For the Middle East and SAARC countries we are marketing Medical Tourism. The marketing strategy is to cater to the needs of the tourists with our various tourist packages. This is evident with the increase of medical tourists making their way to Tamil Nadu for various ailments.