Tourism in Tamil Nadu will get an impetus if the Union tourism ministry gives its nod to few state government proposals.
According to sources in the Union tourism ministry, the Centre is actively considering proposals put forth by the state government to set up a tourism park in Chennai besides establishing Chennai– Tiruchy tourism circuit and promoting rural tourism in Thanjavur and Sivagangai–Chettinad area.
The tourism park, which aims at luring international visitors, will be among the 20 Sentosa like theme parks proposed by the Centre across the country.
Each tourism park, first-of-its-kind in the country, will have a hotel, convention centre, food court, entertainment and amusement facilities.
The Chennai-Tiruchy tourism circuit covers seven districts: Chennai-Kancheepuram-Tiruvannamalai-Vellore-Dharmapuri-Salem-Tiruchy and it is a blend of beaches, hill stations, heritage structures and temples along the state’s western coast.
This circuit has been identified on priority basis taking into account the potential and perceived need for improvement / investment to basic and tourism infrastructure.
The destinations identified under the circuit include: Chennai — Marina Beach, Fort St. George, Santhome Cathedral, Sri Kapaleeswarar temple, National Art Gallery, Government Museum, Elliot’s Beach, Pulicat Lake, Mamallapuram, Kancheepuram — Sripermpudhur, Rajiv Gandhi Memorial / Ramanujar birthplace, Sri Kamakshi Amman temple, Silk, Handloom, Thennankar-Panduranga temple, Tiruvannamalai — Gingee Fort, Arunachaleswaram temple, Seshadri Swamigal Ashram, Jawadhu Hills, Renugambal temple, Padaveedu, Vellore — Vellore Fort, Prison, Tippu Mahal, Golden Temple, Yelagiri Hills, Pudurnadu, Dharmapuri — Hogenakkal Falls, Salem — Yercaud Hills, Kolli Hills, Hanuman Temple and Tiruchy — Sri Ranganathar temple.
Sequestered villages in Sivanagai-Chettinad area, Thanjauvr, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Coimbatore and Namakkal have been identified for promoting rural tourism in Tamil Nadu.