The Hindu Business Line : TN plans more convention centres on East Coast Road

The State Government is keen to establish convention centres on the East Coast Road in private-public partnership, according to Mr N. Suresh Rajan, Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister.

The Minister, speaking at the inaugural session of a tourism workshop, said the Government would also consider extending concessions and incentives to investors who set up convention centres of international standards.

Hospitality Sector

He said that despite the increase in the number of hotels, there is a demand for more rooms in the five- and three-star category. The Government will encourage more investment in the hospitality sector and ensure that all projects are accorded fast track clearances. Mr Rajan said that the Government has planned to constitute a State-level tourism advisory committee to evolve strategies for tourism promotion.

He said that the aim of the tourism department was to attract more tourists, and more steps have been taken to improve infrastructure in Thanjavur, Madurai and Kannyakumari to international standards.

The Government is investing Rs 1 crore to promote Pitchavaram as an eco tourism destination. Mundandurai and Kalakkad are the other destinations, which the Government plans to promote, he said.

The Government has also drawn up a master plan to develop tourism in Tamil Nadu, he said. Mr Prabhat S. Verma, General Manager, Taj Coromandel, said that the tourism generated employment at 10 to 12 jobs per visitor.

Mr V. Irai Anbu, Secretary, Information and Tourism Department, Tamil Nadu, said that the tourism industry required more public private partnerships.

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