CHENNAI: The global economic meltdown notwithstanding, the tourism sector in Tamil Nadu is booming. The tourist season has just begun and the arrival of foreign visitors has shown an upward trend this year .
According to statistics made available by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, 5.25 lakh foreign tourists have landed in the city in the last three months against 3.72 lakh during the same period last year. This is a 20 per cent increase.
In terms of numbers, between August and October the number has gone up by 1.53 lakh, though the peak season for south India, particularly Tamil Nadu, has just started and will go on till mid-January.
Attributing the increase to development of infrstructure by TTDC and the ‘tourist-friendly’ atmosphere in the state, TTDC Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director M Rajaram said: “Our participation in tourism marts in different countries is a major reason for the boom.”
A majority of foreign tourists are from the US, the UK, Italy, Singapore and Malaysia. On an average, they spend 21 days visiting various places of interest. Mahabalipuram, Thanjavur and Kanyakumari top the list.
TTDC has organised tour-guiding training programmes for youth. It has also developed a ‘tourist-friendly’ autorickshaw system with a view to attracting more foreigners to the state.
Even the number of domestic tourists visting the state has gone up from 30.93 lakh (both local and international) in October last to over 59 lakh last month alone. Likewise, the revenue generated from the 25 hotels run by TTDC has also gone up with the revenue touching Rs. 31.35 crore in the last 10 months, while it was only Rs.24.75 crore in the same period in 2007.
