Tourist arrivals in Tamil Nadu rose by 34.1% in 2012 to 18.76 crore from 14 crore earlier.

Meanwhile, to boost the sector further, the Government is formulating a new Tourism Policy and will take up projects worth Rs 500 crore with Asian Development Bank (ADB's) assistance.

P Chendur Pandian, Minister for Tourism, Tamil Nadu Government said that tourist arrivals in 2012 were 18.76 crore, including 18.41 crore domestic and 3.5 foreign tourists, as compared to 14 crore (including 13.67 crore and 3.3 crore foriegn tourists) in 2011 and 10.58 crore in 2010 (including 10.30 crore domestic and 2.8 crore foreign tourists).

Tamil Nadu stands second next to Maharashtra in foreign tourist arrivals, and third in domestic tourist arrivals and aims to achieve number one position, said the Minister.

The Minister attributed the increase in flow to aggressive promotion and marketing campaigns, creation and upgradation of basic amenities and infrastructure at tourist spots.

He noted Vision 2023 envisages an investment of Rs 10,000 crore in Tourism and Hospitality sectors through Government and Private investments by 2023. The foreign tourist arrivals targeted for 2023 is 15 million tourists from the present 3.60 million tourists.

“A new Tourism Policy is being formulated, which aims to attract more high spending tourists and also investments in tourism and hospitality-related infrastructure. The Policy will also ensure employment for skilled and unskilled persons, besides inclusive development for the local people,” said the Minister.

According to Department's 2013-14 Policy note, ADB has formulated the Technical Assistance (TA) program to enhance the capacities of tourism department and other associated implementing agencies in Tamil Nadu.

Total outlay of ADB assisted Project is around $100 million (around Rs 500 crore) for the period of five years. The Project will be funded through the assistance of ADB to an extent of 70% (around Rs 350 crore) and balance 30% (around Rs 150 crore) through State funds.

The Note stated that two priority Circuits have been selected for strengthening tourist infrastructure. These are the East Coast Circuit - (Pilgrimage and Heritage Circuit) covering Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Tiruchirappalli Districts. Tirukkovilur will also be added.

The second is The Southern Circuit - (Pilgrimage and Eco Circuit) covering Madurai, Theni, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Kanniyakumari Districts and Western Ghats area. Ooty has been added.

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