Chennai, Mar 14 (UNI) To attract more investments, promote economic growth and

support hospitality Industries, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Promotion and Facilitation Act'

will be introduced, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarsu told the State Assembly on

Friday.

Presenting the Budget for the year 2025-26 in the House, he said Toursim

has been recognized as one of the 18 priority sectors for Tamil Nadu in its

pursuit of a one trillion-dollar economy.

To attract greater investment in the tourism sector, promote economic growth

across all sections of society, and support hospitality industries, the Government

will introduce the ‘Tamil Nadu Tourism Promotion and Facilitation Act’.

An investment of Rs.300 crore will be made in developing modern infrastructure

facilities in major tourist hubs such as Mamallapuram, Tiruvannamalai, Rameswaram,

Kanniyakumari, Tiruchendur, Palani and Nagore-Velankanni, which attract lakhs of

domestic and international visitors annually.

To ensure the effective coordination and implementation of these projects across

various Government departments, dedicated development authorities need to be

established for these cities.

In the first phase, separate development authorities will be formed for Mamallapuram,

Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchendur and Rameswaram, he said.

Additionally, to promote lesser-known tourist destinations across the state, a sum of

Rs.100 crore has been allocated for the development of tourism infrastructure in these

areas.

In the heart of Udhagamandalam (called as the Queen of Hill Stations) in the Nilgiris

district, an Eco Park covering an extent of 52 acres will be established in the Race

Course area at an estimated cost of Rs.70 crore.

Spice garden, urban forestry, bird watching areas and nature trails will also be

developed in tune with the natural environment of the Blue Hills to attract more

tourists, he said.

In order to encourage private investment in the tourism sector, key areas including

the Mamallapuram-Marakanam coastal trail, the Trichy-Thanjavur-Nagapattinam

Chola trail, the Madurai-Sivaganga Heritage trail, and the Coimbatore-Pollachi

Nature trail have been identified.

Appropriate measures will be taken to attract both public and private sector investments

for the development of tourism in these areas.

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