newsletter
JANUARY 2009
tamil nadu tourism
Tamil Nadu Tourism CaleNdar
2009
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalaignar M Karunanidhi released the Tourism Calendar – 2009, Thiru M K Stalin, Hon’ble Minister for Local Administration received it on 20th December 2008. Dr V Irai Anbu, IAS, Secretary to Government, Tourism and Culture Department, Thiru Sanwat Ram, IAS (R) , Chairman, TTDC and Dr M Rajaram, IAS, Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director, TTDC were present on the occasion.
Feel aT Home iN Tamil Nadu
Commissioner for Tourism and Managing Director, TTDC said that, despite current global meltdown and Mumbai terror attacks, TTDC has received a good number of enquiries from different states, about the month-long Indian Dance Festival, which is held at Mamallapuram between 25th December 2008 and 25th January 2009. “As a precautionary measure, the State Government has been providing additional security to all foreigners staying in city hotels and in coastal areas. We have also issued minimum safety guidelines to hotel managements to get things organised and they are to get in touch with the police in case of any trouble”, he said. The Indian Dance Festival in Mamallapuram began on 25th December 2008 and it spreads over one month. It is a blend of classical and folk dance forms that celebrates art, architecture and culture of india.
TTDC will also use the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to sell important tourism destinations not only in the state but also in neighbouring states, by arranging one day package tours to Mamallapuram, Puducherry & Thirupathi and two day package tours to Kancheepuram, Golden Temple at Vellore and Elagiri. Besides, there will also be a hop-on, hop-off Chennai city tour.
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The success story of the
TourisT FrieNdlY auTos
TOURIST friendly autos were launched by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department on 3rd December, 2007 at Chennai and subsequently in Kanniyakumari and Coimbatore. As part of this endeavour, ‘Virunthinar Portruthum Virunthinar Portruthum’ campaign was organised in all districts to sensitise local populace about the importance of Tourism. 18 tourist friendly autos were launched in Kanniyakumari. To commemorate the successful one year run of this scheme a function was held at Rajaji Hall on 3rd December 2008. Foreign Tourists lauded this innovative initiative of Tamil Nadu Tourism. Dr. V Irai Anbu, IAS, Secretary, Tourism and Culture Department, Dr.M. Rajaram, IAS, Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director, TTDC participated in the event among others.
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diGiTal Cameras For TourisT oFFiCers
TO EQUIP department officers with latest tools for undertaking development / promotional works, Dr. V. Irai Anbu, IAS, Secretary to Government, Tourism and Culture Department, and Dr. M. Rajaram, IAS, Commissioner of Tourism cum Managing Director, TTDC Ltd., have distributed digital cameras to all Tourist Officers in Tamil Nadu.
rail Cum road Tour
TTDC organizes several package tours including ‘Rail - Cum Road Tour’ from major, important cities across India.
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Development of maDurai
unDer the proDuct, infrastructure & Destination Development SchemeS (2006–2007).
MADURAI, situated on the banks of the River Vaigai, is one of South India’s oldest cities; it is more than 2,500 years old. It is well known for its Tamil academics, poets and writers. It is also known as ‘Athens of the East’ due to its endurance from immemorial days. One of Madurai’s main attractions is its famous Meenakshi Temple.
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Development of KanniyaKumari
unDer the proDuct, infrastructure & DeStination Development Scheme (2006 - 2007).
KANNIYAKUMARI is an important pilgrim destination and spiritual centre. It is situated at land’s end of the Indian Peninsula surrounded by Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal on three sides. Kanniyakumari symbolising its virgin goddess Kumari, is known to the west as Cape Comorin . On full moon days, one can witness the fascinating spectra of a moonrise and the sun set at the same time. The places of interest that attract tourists are the Kumari Amman Temple, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Gandhi Mandapam and the Government Museum. These are some of the “must see” places in Kanniyakumari. In view of the importance and the number of tourists visiting Kanniyakumari, the infrastructure facilities have been developed with Central Financial Assistance.
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‘heRitaGe cape hotel’ re - launcheD
HON’BLE Minister for Tourism and Registration, Tamil Nadu inaugurated TTDC’s ‘HERITAGE CAPE HOTEL’ in Kanniyakumari on 19.10.2008. This Heritage Hotel was refurbished at an estimate cost of Rs 66.75 lakhs. Hon’ble Minister for Tourism and Registration launched a ferry called ‘Podhigai’ for the benefit of tourists visiting Thiruvalluvar Statue and Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This was purchased at a cost of Rs. 1.05 Crores.
Mr. N. Suresh Rajan, Minister for Tourism and Registration, Tamil Nadu, Dr V Irai Anbu, IAS, Secretary to Government, Tourism and Culture Department, Thiru Sanwat Ram, IAS (R) , Chairman, TTDC and Dr M Rajaram, IAS, Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director, TTDC, Ms. Jothi Nirmala, IAS, District Collector, Kanniyakumari were present on the occasion.
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design | global adjustments Chennai 2009