CITIZENS CHARTER TOURISM DEPARTMENT

Objectives:

1. To preserve our glorious heritage and culture
2. To give authoritative historical information to the Tourists.
3. To treat the tourists as our "GUESTS".
4. To build infrastructure facilities in Tourists Centres.
5. To identify new areas of Tourist Centres and popularize its specialties to the public:
6. To encourage private investments in tourism projects.
7. To create Tourism awareness among the Youth and the Public:
8. To extend certain benefits hitherto enjoyed by Industries to Tourism Projects.
9. To create Tourism as an effective tool to bring and establish friendship among the people of various States/Nations
10. To create employment opportunities and
11. To protect the environment.

Organization:

The Department of Tourism is functioning with the avowed principles of achieving the above objectives consistent with the existing global scenario as well as national priorities and ethos.

Recognizing the importance of tourism and realizing its economic and social relevance, the department plays a pivotal role in Tourism management and promotion in TamilNadu. The Department has drawn up a strategy for the development of Tourism in the State with the above objectives.

1. The Government of Tamil Nadu is having its Tourist offices in all the importance Tourist Centres including State capitals like Mumbai, Calcutta, Goa and New Delhi. Besides, Tourist information Centres are functioning at Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore and also at importance Railway junctions, Airports in TamilNadu for the benefit of the traveling public. Through this information Centres, maps, brochures, folders, posters and travel plans are being distributed for the benefit of the tourists.

 2. The following festivals are conducted to promote heritage tourism:-

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Name of Festivals The Month in which the Festival is conducted

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1. Mamallapuram Dance Festival : January-February 

2. Pongal Festival in some important Tourist Centres : January

3. Chidambaram Nattiyanjali Festival : February-March

4. Tea and Tourism Festival at Ooty : February

5. Summer Festivals at Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud : May

6. Madurai Chithirai Festival : April-May

7. Krishnagiri Mango Festival : June

8. Courtallam Saaral Festival : July

9. Kumarimunai Festival at Kanniyakumari : August-September

1. Tourism has been declared as an Industry in TamilNadu. Ten percent capital subsidies upto Rs.10 lakhs are given to Tourism projects in TamilNadu with a capital investment not exceeding one crore rupees. Besides 15 percent of capital cost up to Rs.5 lakhs as subsidy for the purchase of Generators.

2. To encourage private investment in tourism projects, the Department of Tourism co-ordinates with different departments for early clearance of the projects.

3. Preparing plans to improve infrastructure facilities in Tourist Centres obtaining central assistance through the State Government, and securing the active participation of the local public by providing better economic avenues are the priorities of this department.

4. The TamilNadu Tourism Development Corporation is operating 36 hotels and is providing maximum comforts to the tourists at low tariff.

5. The TamilNadu Tourism Development Corporation is providing well planned travel circuit plan with care and comfort to the tourists coming from other States and abroad.

6. The Corporation is maintaining Youth Hostels, Children Parks, Boat Houses, Telescope houses for the entertainments of the tourists.

 7. Every year, Tourist and Industrial Fair is conducted at Island grounds at Chennai for information dissemination on the achievements of the Government and to promote Tourism.

 8. The Director of Tourism, Chennai recommends for the sanction of FL 3 permits to private Tourist Hotels and also recommends projects of the private tourism promoters to obtain loan from the financial institutions.

 9. Approvals of Shops and Classification of Hotels for awarding Star Category are being certified by the Department.

10. Sound and Light Programme is conducted at Thirumalai Naickar Mahal. Efforts are being taken to establish similar Programmes at Thanjavar Big Temple and at Fort Saint George, Chennai.

Services:

Tourists visiting the State seek a pleasant and delectable experience on their trips. The department with a view to providing congenial atmosphere for promotion of Tourism concentrates on

• Drawing an Integrated Special Schemes for Tourist Centres with reference to its special features.

• Providing accessible tourist attractions and integrated system of physical  infrastructure.

• Socio-economic development of the area through community participation.

• Encouraging private participation in all Tourism ventures.