TN to promote tourism in lesser known tourist spots

Chennai, Nov 24: Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan today said the state government has planned to promote tourism in lesser known tourist spots in the state.

Speaking at a symposium on 'Strategies for the Growth of Hospitality Industry and Tourism in Tamil Nadu' here, the Minister said to improve the lesser known tourist spots and make them attractive for investments, the government had allotted a huge budget for the tourist spots like Yelagiri, Chinna Suruli, Kovai, Courtalam, Kallanai and Kazhugumalai.

''Ten per cent of the total investment of the project, subject to the ceiling of Rs one crore, will be provided as incentive for establishing tourism projects in these areas,'' he said, adding ''soft loans at the rate of interest of 0.1 per cent per annum for first five years to pay sales tax by the investors of tourism projects in less known tourist places will be sanctioned to be repaid to government during the next five years.'' Mr Rajan also informed that amusement parks, bowling points, restaurants, resorts, theme parks, golf clubs, boat houses and the like were visualised to get established in these destinations and make them popular in the years to come.

''This will create more employment opportunities,'' he added.

UNI