The Tourism Department of the Tamil Nadu government has decided to expand the bed and breakfast scheme, under which domestic and foreign tourists are allowed to stay in the houses of residents in tourist spots. The scheme will cover the place of stay having excellent infrastructure facilities and who are willing to let tourists stay in their houses.

According to a release from the District Collectors, C.N. Maheshwaran (Krishnagiri) and R. Lilly (Dharmapuri), the tourists visiting both these districts were benefiting by the bed and breakfast scheme which was already introduced in Tamil Nadu.

The department has published a directory of house-owners who have expressed willingness to allow tourists to stay in their houses. Having decided to expand the scheme, the Tourism Department has invited applications from house-owners in Krishnagiri/Dharmapuri district whose houses have all tourist infrastructure facilities such as air-conditioned rooms, telephone, clean drinking water, toilets and the facility of providing food if the tourists wish, to participate in the scheme.

On receipt of applications, the tourist officer would inspect their houses and send a report to the Commissioner of Tourism, Chennai. After getting the approval of the Commissioner, the houses of the applicants which have been selected, would be publicised in such a way as to benefit both the tourists and the house-owners. Interested house-owners are requested to contact M. Rajadurai, Tourist Officer, Tamil Nadu Government Tourist Office, Fort, Vellore.