TN to launch tourism promo campaigns

Chennai, Aug 19: The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department will launch a special promotional campaign on foreign television channels at a cost of Rs two crore to attract more tourists to the state.

''Enchanting Tamil Nadu'', the branding of the Tamil Nadu Tourism, would become more visible with the special campaign to be launched on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Asia, Discovery and its network of channels, Animal Planet, Travel and Living and National Geographic, the tourism department officials said today.

The department had completed all related formalities with the BBC and steps were on to complete the procedures with other global channels, the officials added.

Apart from this, the department had directed the tourist officers across the state to organise communal harmony festivals at their respective offices from tomorrow, coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The fortnight-long cultural festival would showcase mainly the talent of the youth.

The move redefines the concept of tourism, particularly its role in promoting communal harmony.

The tourist officers in the districts were asked to identify the picturesque spots to conduct the festivals. Besides, banners would be displayed and competitions would be conducted among the school students on tourism related topics.

The department had sanctioned special funds for the festivals.

UNI