TTDC turnover up by 14 per cent

Chennai, July 26: The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has achieved substantial growth during 2006-2007, with an estimated turnover of Rs 4,970 lakhs, compared to Rs 4,342 lakhs during the previous year.

This represented a growth of 14 per cent over the last year, which was mainly attributed to the quantum leap in performance in all the major TTDC hotels, TTDC officials here said today.

The gross profit for 2006-2007 was estimated at Rs 705 lakhs as against Rs 589.7 lakhs achieved during 2005-2006. The net profit for the last fiscal was Rs 263 lakhs (after income tax and deferred tax), compared to Rs 192.6 lakhs during the previous year.

The average occupancy levels of TTDC hotels recorded an increase of five per cent over the previous year's figures. In hotel division, the turnover was estimated at Rs 3,555 lakhs, compared to Rs 3,046 lakhs during the previous year, up by 17 per cent.

The lodging, catering, bar and boating sectors too have recorded significant growth.

Steps were being taken to sustain this phenomenal growth in this fiscal by upgrading major hotels and improving customer service by outsourcing the work of 'D' category staff, who have taken voluntary retirement.

Apart from this, TTDC had been permitted by the Government to franchise 31 hotels and ten restaurants, the officials added.

UNI