‘We Are Seriously Considering Strong Tie-Ups With Neighbouring States’

Dr V Varaprasada Rao, Tourism Secretary, Tamil Nadu tourism, speaks about the state's tourism potential which is now being explored in a more rejuvenated manner.

Where is Tamil Nadu heading as far as tourism is concerned?

Tamil Nadu has a variety of products to offer, be it beaches, temples, hill stations, coral reefs, mangrove vegetation, etc. It is very difficult to pick one product out and promote, but we are able to focus on our promotional plans and have been successful.

Has Tamil Nadu selected any particular area of tourism to promote?

We are aggressively looking at tapping the medical tourism area considering the enormous potential it holds and the way awareness about medical superiority as well as cost efficiency has been created across the world about the country. Tamil Nadu and particularly Chennai boast of several top-class hospitals and we are planning to use this to our advantage. There will be several tie-ups with institutions with this regard soon.

How do you find Tamil Nadu as a MICE destination?

The state was host to the first ever International Skal conference, while FHRAI recently celebrated their golden jubilee in our state. We are also looking forward to several such huge conventions in the near future, which ascertains the standing of the state as a definite choice of many as a convention destination.

Which markets are you currently focussing on?

We are seriously considering strong tie-ups with neighbouring states of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for tourism promotion. We also want to expand our presence in Mauritius, Maldives and Sri Lanka. We are also focussing on the European segment as it is a potential market.

It is a known fact that India has several world-class destinations, but infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired. What is your state doing with this regard? What are the infrastructure development and facilities being undertaken to enhance tourist arrivals into the state?

Our state is working towards providing good quality roads, streetlights, clean lavatories, drainage, and link roads. Government of India has sanctioned a budget of 20 crore for developing infrastructure and providing basic amenities.

What unique promotional packages are being planned? Comment on the challenges that you are or will face with the boom?

We have launched new packages of interest like experience tourism (Chettinadu houses), wildlife tourism, adventure tourism, eco-tourism, medical tourism, etc. There are no major challenges per se. TTDC is striving to promote Tamil Nadu with the help of private players as they also play a major role in promoting tourism.

What changes in the product presentation/marketing have been planned to cater to various segments of the market?

Tamil Nadu is marketed in different ways to the varied segment of tourists. We are marketing the exotic temples of Tamil Nadu in Mauritius, monuments and sculptures in Europe, medical tourism in Southeast Asia etc. The choice of marketing varies depending on the market in focus.