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Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
10-year plan to bring the world to Mamallapuram
Chennai: Over the next decade, Mamallapuram will evolve into a full-fledged tourism hub, complete with beach circuits, cultural trails, botanical gardens, and adventure zones, while keeping its ancient stone monuments intact. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The state tourism department has launched a 10-year tourism destination master plan aimed at turning the town into a tourism hub. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has floated a tender to onboard a consultancy firm for the preparation of the plan. The first major changes are expected within 8-12 months of commencement, said officials. "We are envisaging Mamallapuram as an international destination. It will be a comprehensive development leveraging the tourism and cultural potential of Mamallapuram and nearby areas. CMDA's plan will be on regulations," said K Manivasan, tourism, culture and religious endowments department. The plan proposes a mix of eco-tourism, heritage trails, adventure sports, beachside recreation, and wellness zones. The town will host weekend carnivals, monsoon festivals, and educational camps to ensure tourists keep coming through the year, said an official from the tourism department. Community-based tourism will be promoted, with local artisans and vendors playing a key role. Inputs from focus groups and tourism stakeholders will shape the final concept. It will include provisions for climate resilience, waste recycling, solar energy, and plastic-free zones, he added. The plan also focuses on infrastructure. Roads, sanitation, water supply, signage, and last-mile connectivity will all get a boost. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The town's streets, public spaces, and beach fronts will be redesigned with landscaping, seating, lighting, parking, and food courts using local, eco-friendly material, the official added. All development will comply with CRZ, forest, and wildlife regulations. A GIS-based land suitability map will guide permitted uses, while a dedicated destination management framework will ensure long-term monitoring, compliance, and sustainable growth. "Mamallapuram should be developed like Kovalam's Blue Flag beach — clean, inviting, and ideal for tourists seeking relaxation. Even our street vendors and shops will follow a uniform, hygienic design, blending tradition with comfort," said Valarmathi Y, chairman of the Mamallapuram Town Panchayat. Padmini Narayanan, former secretary, Travel Agents Association of India, said that Mamallapuram should become a destination that welcomes all types of tourists. "There should be some nightlife too," she added.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘TN aims to bag major share of domestic, inbound tourists by 2030'
Tamil Nadu is taking up various initiatives to boost domestic and international tourist footfalls. In an interview to TOI, K Manivasan, additional chief secretary, tourism and culture spoke about projects being undertaken, countries in focus, and infrastructure development of TTDC hotels. Excerpts: What makes TN the most visited state by domestic tourists? Tamil Nadu stood second in the country in the domestic tourism segment by attracting 286 million domestic tourists in CY2023. Domestic tourist arrivals in CY2024 increased to 306 million (provisional). Good connectivity, hospitality, and law and order are three major draws. Several states are strong in certain tourism products. But, Tamil Nadu is a diverse state with archaeology, antiquity, hill stations, adventure and spiritual tourism avenues. The state has festivals in temples throughout the year, which attracts pilgrims from across India. Between 2014 and 2020, TN attracted the highest number of overseas travellers pan India. It does not figure among the top five in CY2023 (as per India Tourism Data Compendium Report 2024). Why? Data on foreign (inbound) tourist arrivals to the state in CY2023 did not reflect the true picture. We are in the sixth position according to the data. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo However, we had an increasing number of foreign tourists coming to TN. In terms of market share, TN accounts for 25%-30% of the total medical tourism arrivals within India. Moreover, NRIs, business travellers and Tamil diaspora are travelling to the state. The state tourism department has been asked to study the data and understand the survey methodology adopted by the Union government, and highlight any exclusions or omissions. What is TN's inbound tourism growth forecast and what are its prospects in the next five years? We are looking at least 5% YoY growth in this vertical. Indonesia, South Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia are focus areas, apart from Malaysia and Singapore. We are focusing on regaining our status as the numero uno state in attracting the highest number of tourists (both domestic and inbound) by 2030. We are hopeful as the state has the potential. We have the resources, infrastructure and manpower to make this happen. A holistic know-how of the market and the tourist demographic will help us conceive the best package for them. Tourism is not just about sightseeing. It becomes invaluable when transformed into something experiential. We are working in this direction. The state budget has given a thrust to tourism this year. Apart from archaeology and museums, which are the focus areas? A sum of 100 crore has been allocated for development of tourism infrastructure in lesser-known tourism destinations, which have tremendous potential. Adventure and eco-camping sites will be developed in these regions. Sirumalai in Dindigul district and Ariyaman beach in Ramanathapuram district are on our radar. Veeranam lake in Cuddalore district has a good potential for boating. We are also developing a Jain circuit at a cost of 10 crore. Basic amenities will be built around Tirumalai Jain temple in Tiruvannamalai district. Madurai is also a major Jain centre. The coastal trail in Mamallapuram and Nagapattinam belts as well as the Chola trail in central districts have also been marked. Any plans to upgrade TTDC hotels? What's the progress on the TN Tourism Promotion and Facilitation Act? We are in the process of renovating or redeveloping our popular properties including those in Rameswaram, Kanyakumari, Ooty and Kodaikanal. At Mamallapuram, we are coming up with a greenfield property. Collectively, we will have about 100 new rooms across TTDC properties in the state. The govt will introduce the Tamil Nadu Tourism Promotion and Facilitation Act. It will introduce regulations on minimum standards to be adhered to by stakeholders involved in the management of homestays and bed and breakfast providers, as well as tour guides.
