The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation’s (TTDC) 588 boats, water scooters, pedal boats and water cycles have been rather busy last April and May.
A total of 13,11,157 persons have enjoyed rides in popular boathouses during these months. In 2022, during the same period, 10,21,039 tourists used the facilities. The Ooty boathouse tops the list of TTDC’s boathouses with 6,81,140 tourists using the boats. It was followed by Kodaikanal with 2,29,840 users and then the boats at Yercaud saw 1,57,753 visitors.
TTDC managing director Sandeep Nanduri said new boathouses were coming up at Andipalayam in Tiruppur and Kolavai lake near Mahindra city in Chengalpattu district. Two boathouses at mangroves in Muthupettai and Muthukooda are under construction. The boathouse at Pichavaram mangroves is among the popular tourist spots. Recently, one boathouse was opened at Valangulam near Coimbatore.
“Over the last two years, the Corporation has purchased new boats for boathouses that witness crowds on weekends and during summers. More than boats, we purchase engines that last 6-8 years. These require frequent maintenance. Boats are made of FRP and need painting unless they break or suffer major damages,” he said.
Tourism Minister K. Ramachandran, who recently reviewed the activities of the Tourism department, said the number of foreign tourists to the State rose to 4,42,337 till May this year from 4,07,139 in 2022. As far as domestic tourists were concerned, the numbers too saw a spike to 21.85 crore in 2022 from 11.53 crore in 2021. In 2023 till May, 12.21 crore domestic tourists visited various spots in the State.
