Enchanting Tamil Nadu

Ancient temples, a long coastline, superior tourist infrastructure backed by rich history and vibrant ecology with a dash of the southern hospitality, Tamil Nadu has its formula in place to lure the tourist of today. The state's tourism department is now thinking along new lines: with revamped strategies in place supported by a large budgetary allocation to the tourism sector.

The state has been blessed with some natural attractions in the form of beaches and architecture. Mamallapuram, for instance, has been declared a world heritage site, propelling Tamil Nadu into the international tourism arena. Mamallapuram, is amongst the most outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture. This skillfully carved rock is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world. Another important tourist site in Tamil Nadu is Kanchipuram, the city replete with temples. The region's flourishing handloom industry holds an enviable reputation as the producer of the best silk sarees in the country. Known as the rice bowl of Tamil Nadu, Thanjavur is another historical site in the region. Today, Thanjavur is dotted with 74 Chola temples. Madurai is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, and has a history of more than 2,500 years. Located at the heart of the city, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction, as well as one of the most important places of hindu pilgrimage. Additionally, the Swami Vivekananda Memorial at Kanniyakumari, the Rameswaram temple, and the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple are some of the other site of pilgrimage, which have, for centuries, commanded attention for their historical significance.

The Tamil Nadu tourism board has also worked out dynamic programmes to strengthen the role of tourism in the state. Breaking free of traditional thinking, the board has come up with captivating ideas that are taking Tamil Nadu tourism to new heights. The mantra 'Enchanting Tamil Nadu' 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, as has the eco-tourism potential and medical tourism expertise. "We will focus on our core strengths and capitalise on that. We are not interested in imitation or replicating other places and strategies. The department is, of late, projecting the little known destinations in the state - those places that have not been in the limelight so far. There are several hidden treasures, which have incredible tourism potential. They include Pitchavaram mangroves, Chettinadu Palaces, Navagraha circuit which has temples representing nine planets, and Valpara among other destinations," said Shaktikanta Das, tourism commissioner, department of tourism, Tamil Nadu. The government also plans to increase the inflow of tourists to 10-12 per cent per annum, while focussing on increasing room nights for domestic tourists from seven to nine days to 10-12 days and foreign tourists from four to seven days to six to eight days. In fulfiling these objectives, the state tourism board also intends to develop niche products such as health tourism, plantation tourism, film industry-related tourism, as well as develop education centres in the region. With a view of extending tourists' period of stay in the state, the tourism department is promoting Indian medicine in the state. It plans on opening rejuvenation centres in destinations like Kolli Hills, Courtallam and Mamallapuram. Reinventing itself, rediscovering its treasures and renewing its vision, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Board is surging ahead with new initiatives in the coming year.

Natural Bounty

The department has proposed to develop an eco-tourism circuit covering Pitchavaram, Point Calimere, and Muthupet. Kurusadai Islands in Ramanathapuram district is another destination that the government has identified to promote eco-tourism. With the soon to be installed glass bottom boats, visitors to the islands will be able to enjoy a novel experience in Tamil Nadu. The state also prides on hill stations which from the time of the Raj, have proved to be a powerful tourist attraction. At an average height of 7,500 feet above sea level, Ooty or Ootacamund still retains much of her fabled charm despite the ravages of development. Another hill resort that has drawn hoards of local and international visitors is Kodaikanal, popularly known as Kodai. With a long coastline, it is little wonder that the beaches of Tamil Nadu have attracted tourists through the years. A must-experience destination is the second longest beach in the world, Marina Beach. Visitors to the state would be missing out on one of the greatest eco-treasures if they choose to skip a visit to one of the state's pristine beaches be it the Marina beach in Chennai or the famous beaches at Mahabalipuram, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari or Covelong.

Showcasing Hidden Treasures

In addition to the temple tours that are synonymous with tourism in Tamil Nadu, the board is specifically emphasising the `hidden treasures’ of Tamil Nadu, like Pitchavaram mangroves, Chettinadu Palaces, Navagraha circuit, which has temples representing nine planets and Valpara. Pitchavaram is a mangrove forest that covers an area of 2800 acres the middle of rural south India. The backwaters are reminiscent of Kerala and visitors are often spell bound by the greenery of the region. Boating trips through the backwaters that wind their way through the mangrove forests can be an exhilarating experience. Another area that is rich in natural beauty is Point Calimere. The landscape and fauna here is extremely diverse, ranging from dry evergreen forests, mangrove vegetation, salt marsh to grasslands. Tamil Nadu also has the distinction of a wide range of habitats in different Sanctuaries, National Parks and Tiger reserves.

Reinventing itself and fine-tuning its strategies, the department of tourism is on its way to making Tamil Nadu a prominent destination on the world tourism map. The funds being poured into the various schemes that the state plans to implement, stand testimony to the definite thrust this sector is receiving. With its myriad resources, from natural to historical, the vast potential of Tamil Nadu is a boon to fostering tourism.