The state government on Wednesday unveiled massive plans to promote tourism in a big way including formation of a land bank for projects and setting up of a Tourism Investment Guidance Bureau to trigger investment and employment opportunities in the state.
“Puratchi Thalaivi (CM J. Jayalalithaa) has not only taken steps to formulate a tourism policy for the state but also sanctioned funds for destination development schemes at 14 spots,” tourism minister S. Gokula Indira told the Assembly on Wednesday.
Wrapping up the debate on the demand for grants for her department she said the creation of land bank would help to bring in the private players for tourism development.
“The entire stretch of the coast from Pazhaverkadu to Kanyakumari will have more attractions like theme parks, water sports and wayside amenities,” she said.
Charging the DMK with failing to utilise funds provided by the Centre for various projects, she said, “The funds were about to be surrendered.
But chief minister intervened and got back the funds and expedited the projects.” The government had already formed a steering committee and an empowered committee to implement the east coast circuit and southern circuit projects funded by the Asian Development Bank.
A mega tourism circuit covering Tiruchy, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mylaudithurai, Seerkazhi, Chidambaram and Virudhachalam, would be implemented at the cost of Rs 50 crore.
While rural cluster tourism would be promoted in Chettinad for Rs 11 crore, the government would take up a “clean campaign” at the cost of Rs 5 crore at Marina, temple towns, boathouses, and heritage centres.