From upgrading tourism destinations and formulating new guidelines to attracting youngsters to visit tourist spots across the State, the Tamil Nadu Tourism department has lined up several plans, Minister M. Mathiventhan said in the Assembly on Thursday. Noting that the COVID-19 pandemic had inflicted a huge blow on the sector, the Minister said efforts were being made to increase footfall and revive the economy around tourist destinations.
Presenting the demands for grants for his department, he said the Island Grounds in Chennai would be developed into a year-round mega event destination, and infrastructure would be upgraded at a cost of ₹10 crore. The drive-in restaurant there would be modernised and upgraded to a multi-cuisine restaurant with outdoor dining, open-air theatre, barbecue counter and a cafeteria at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh. The food and beverages business of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) would be developed as a separate vertical with distinct branding, and would be an independent profit centre. TTDC would also start a chain of fast food kiosks with the brand name ‘Quick Bites’ at Vandalur, Kovalam and Yercaud at a cost of ₹75 lakh.
