The Queen of Hills and Navagraha temples were the most preferred destinations for Chennaiites who had travelled to these places through the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) tour programmes for this summer.
Udhagamandalam, which is popularly known as Ooty, was a money spinner for the TTDC, earning revenue to the tune of Rs 14.80 lakh during the peak summer season of April and May this year. “In the corresponding year of 2012, TTDC had recorded a revenue of around Rs 10.77 lakh for Ooty tour package during the same period. This apart, the Navagraha temples tour package, comprising visits to nine planet temples situated around Kumbakkonam was the most sought after package in pilgrimage tour category,” a TTDC official said. The extension of the reopening day for schools also increased the patronage for tour packages in the first week of June, the official added.
Asked about the advantage with TTDC tour packages, the sources said that all the requirements of tourists are taken care of by the department from the time of departure to returning to the city. “We are providing essential facilities for travellers such as transport arrangements, stay in TTDC hotels and sightseeing. If you are availing a private tour, you should pay separately for each of the above,” sources claimed. The tariff for Ooty tour package is Rs 3850 per head in a non-air-conditioned coach and Rs 4200 in a air-conditioned vehicle from Chennai.
Another advantage with TTDC tours is the special discount for senior citizens of 20 per cent. “If more than ten persons approach us for a group trip, we pick them up from the place of their convenience, besides offering discount of 10 per cent,” an official stated.
TTDC is also operating tours to various tourist attractions including Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Courtallam, Munnar and Mysore.