Tourism Department

POLICY NOTE - 2002-2003

DEMAND NO.28

Tourism plays an important role in the socio-economic development of our country. It is also one of the major sources to earn foreign exchange.  By strengthening the existing infrastructure, we could not only promote Tourism but also serve the local community as well.  Tourism promotion also generates employment in urban as well as rural areas, which may arrest the large scale migration of rural mass to urban centres and in turn help avoid formation of more slums.

Tamil Nadu, with its picturesque hills, beaches, waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, temples, ancient monuments, places of worship for all faiths and centres of art and culture has lot to offer to the domestic and international tourists.  The Government of Tamil Nadu has taken steps to strengthen the existing infrastructure at the tourist destinations and to identify the areas of tourist importance and to develop them with adequate infrastructure for the benefit of tourists.

STRATEGY FOR TOURISM PROMOTION

The Strategy for promotion of Tourism in Tamil Nadu is as follows: -

1. 1)    Augmenting infrastructural facilities at the existing tourist centres.
2. 2)  Promotion and development of places of local importance and identifying new tourism potential for development.
3. 3)   Evolving publicity strategy and to publicise the potential through films, newspaper, magazines, websites, internet and online Services within and outside the Country.
4. 4)     Providing facilities for recreation and adventure sports at select tourist places for attracting tourists from other States and abroad.
5. 5)   Encouraging the Private Sector in the Hotel and Travel Trade to provide adequate accommodation and travel facilities and also to set up Amusement and Theme Parks. (Further incentives are being contemplated in this regard by the State Government).
6. 6)     Organising Fairs and Festivals in and outside Tamil Nadu.
7. 7)   To appoint marketing agents inside and outside the Country for effective promotion of Tourism.
8. 8)    To evolve more number of circuits covering neighbouring States.
9. 9)     To promote Beach Tourism by developing and maintaining beaches along the Coast line.
10. 10)    To produce quality guides in coordination with the Anna Institute of Management, Chennai.

Tourism in India

About 24,81,928 Foreign Tourists had visited India during 1999 and the number rose to 26,41,157 during 2000 which represented an increase of 6.4% over the previous year.

Tourism is one of the largest foreign exchange earners, next only to gems and jewellery and garments.  During 2000-2001 the foreign exchange earned by Tourism in our country was estimated at Rs.14, 238 Crores.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India had estimated that Rs.10.00 lakhs invested in Tourism created 47.5 jobs against 44.7 in Agricultural and 12.6 in manufacturing.  Today, the direct employment generated in Tourism is estimated to be 164.5 lakhs.  Indirect employment is higher at 223.7 lakhs.  A sample survey by  the  World Tourism Council, which uses a methodology called " Tourism Satellite Account " - concludes that jobs generated by Tourism could rise from today's 2.4% to 6.8% in ten years which means 80 lakhs new jobs.  In respect of hotel industry an investment of Rs.10.00 lakhs will give direct employment for 12 persons and five rooms in a five star hotel at an average gives direct employment to eight persons.

Tourism in Tamil Nadu

The number of tourists visited Tamil Nadu during the past three years are furnished below: -

Directorate of Tourism

The Commissioner of Tourism assisted by one Joint Director, four Deputy Directors, one Assistant Director, one Publication Officer, one Accounts Officer and other Ministerial staff. 

Tourist Offices

The Directorate of Tourism in Chennai prepares schemes for Tourism promotion and development in the State and monitors its implementation.  Tourist Offices of Tamil Nadu are functioning in 14 centres within Tamil Nadu and in four other States.  The details are given below: -

1. 1)    Tourist Office, Kanniyakumari
   2)   Tourist Office, Tirunelveli
   3)     Tourist Office, Rameswaram
   4)     Tourist Office, Dharmapuri
   5)     Tourist Office, Kodaikanal
   6)     Tourist Office, Madurai
   7)     Tourist Office, Udhagamandalam
   8)     Tourist Office, Salem
   9)   Tourist Office, Tiruchirappalli
   10) Tourist Office, Thanjavur
   11)  Tourist Office, Poompuhar
   12)  Tourist Office, Chidambaram
   13)  Tourist Office, Mamallapuram
   14)  Tourist Office, Chennai
2. Other   States
3. 15)     Tourist Office, Mumbai
   16)             Tourist Office, Kolkatta
   17)      Tourist Office, Panaji, Goa 
   18)      Tourist Office, New Delhi  
4. New Tourist Offices

To accelerate the growth in tourism, it is necessary to create awareness among the Public and Tourists by disseminating information.  Hence, during 2001-2002 two more Tourist Offices in Jaipur and Agra were opened. 

Tourist Information Centres

To disseminate information on tourism potential and facilities in Tamil Nadu, 16 Tourist Information Centres at Railway Stations and Airports in the State and three Tourist Information Centres in other States  (total 19) are functioning. The details of the centres are indicated below:-

1.  Tourist Information Centre, Railway Junction, Tirunelveli

2.  Tourist Information Centre, Railway Station, Rameswaram

3.  Tourist Information Centre, Bus Stand, Rameswaram

4.   Tourist Information Centre, Airport,Madurai

5.   Tourist Information Centre, Railway Junction, Madurai

6.   Tourist Information Centre, Gudalur (The Nilgiri District)

7.   Tourist Information Centre, Railway Junction, Coimbatore

8    Tourist Information Centre, RailwayJunction, Tiruchirappalli

9.   Tourist Information Centre, Airport, Tiruchirappalli

10.  Tourist Information Centre, Hotel Tamilnadu Complex, Thanjavur

11.  Tourist Information Centre, Central Railway Station, Chennai

12.  Tourist Information Centre, Egmore Railway Station, Chennai

13.  Tourist Information Centre, Kamarajar Domestic Airport, Chennai

1. 14.    Tourist Information Centre, Anna International Airport, Chennai
2. 15.   Tourist Information Centre, Panchalankurichi
3. 16.    Tourist Information Centre, Tharangambadi (Tranquebar)

17.   Tourist Information Centre, Railway Junction, Bangalore

18.   Tourist Information Centre, Hyderabad

1. 19.      Tourist Information Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Tourism Industry

Tourism has been declared as an Industry.  Realising the importance of private participation in Tourism Industry, the Government of Tamilnadu extends Capital & Generator subsidy for the following tourism projects:-

Capital Subsidy

1. 1)     One, Two  and  Three  Star  Hotel  projects with an outlay of not exceeding  Rupees One Crore (excluding land cost) situated in places other than Corporation limits of Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore, subject to the ceiling of Rs. 10 lakhs per unit
2. 2)   Subsidy to Amusement Parks
3. 3)   Golf Course
4. 4)   Government approved Restaurants
5. 5)   Air-conditioned Coaches run by the approved  tour operators.

Generator Subsidy

To promote new tourism projects with captive power, a subsidy of 15%, subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs.5.00 lakhs, is extended on purchase of new generator.

Government of India Assisted Scheme

The Central Government extends financial assistance every year to the projects recommended by the State Government after duly prioritising them every year.  The State Government accords sanction of its share according to project needs of each scheme.  These schemes are thus implemented with the financial assistance from the State and Central Governments.

  For the year 2001-2002, Govt. of India have prioritised 30 schemes for a sum of Rs.800.50 lakhs (Government of India Share Rs.519.00 lakhs and State Share Rs.281.50 lakhs). Nine schemes have been sanctioned involving Rs.126.43 lakhs during the year 2000-2001.  Due to the special efforts taken, the Government of India has released a total sum of Rs.357.55 lakhs, during 2001-2002 towards the first/second/final instalments including the projects pending since 1985. Out of the total amount, a sum of Rs.212.79 lakhs was released by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, New Delhi, during January and February 2002 alone.

The Government of India Assisted Schemes which will be taken up for implementation during 2002-2003 are given in Annexure -1.

The details of centrally assisted schemes which are likely to be completed during 2002-2003 are given in Annexure -2. Efforts are taken to expedite the completion.

Efforts will be taken to get more funds from the Government of India during 2002-2003.  Priority will be given for Eco and Village Tourism, providing basic amenities, erection of glow sign boards etc.