Tourism in Tamil Nadu – Governmental Policy and Strategy

Abstract

Tourism is travelling for predominantly recreational or leisure purposes with a view to enhancing the knowledge and widening the wisdom of an individual. Tourism in today's world is no more a luxury or mere sight seeing. This has been made possible by the recent advances in transportation and information technology, which has enabled tourists to reach even the remotest parts of the earth by spending much less. Tourism in India was seen as a mere service sector for a long time. It has now been recognized as an export industry due to its multiple advantages. Though Tourism gained importance belatedly, it has grown at a rapid pace and enhanced its share in international tourist arrivals as well as in foreign exchange earnings. In recent years, tourism has become a priority sector in the State. This is reflected in higher budget allocations, growing partnership efforts between the public and private sectors, increased tourist arrivals, vibrant and vigorous promotion efforts, etc. the emphasis is to make Tourism a mass movement and a prime mover for promoting entrepreneurship, poverty reduction and economic development. The department of Tourism, Government of India has been assisting the states for the development of tourist infrastructure through the central financial assistance schemes. The far-sighted approach of creating affordable infrastructure, exploring new markets and focused marketing have contributed to sustained growth as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned.