CM Stalin's efforts made Tamilnadu Tourism flourish

Chennai: Tajmahal may be an Indian iconic spot for Foreign Tourists. But do you know that the Tajmahal is not the most visited tourist destination in the country by Foreign Tourists? Yes, Tamilnadu's Mahabalipuram is the most visited tourist destination in India by foreign tourists.

As per the Tourism Department reports, Tamilnadu's Mahabalipuram climbed to the top position by beating 'Ellora Caves' in Maharashtra, 'Chittor Fort' in Rajasthan and 'The Konark Temple' of Odisha.

Tamilnadu Tourism improved during Covid:

Due to Covid lockdowns, the Tourism Department was the most affected in the country. When Air travel was completely stopped, the tourism industry faced a huge downfall globally. When many countries were highly doubtful of allowing foreigners into their countries during Covid, M.K.Stalin took a big step by conducting the 'International Chennai Olympiad 2022'. Through the Sports Ministry, the Chief Minister developed the Tourism department of the State.

In the 2021- 22 Financial Budget, the Tamilnadu government allocated ₹246.06 crore for the Tourism and Cultural department of the State. The tourism department alone received a whopping budget of ₹187.59 crore. When the global tourism markets were closed M.K.Stalin allocating a huge budget was highly appreciated when the state benefited so much in return. Even though Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu received more foreign tourists in the country, the Union Government showed its partiality by allocating a bigger tourism budget for Maharashtra than Tamilnadu.

This year, the Union Government allocated ₹2,400 crores for the Tourism department in its budget. This is ₹1,343 crores more than the last budget. The Union Government's "Dekho Anna Desh' scheme chose nearly 50 tourist spots in the country for an upgrade. Many monuments that are under the preservation of the Archeological Survey of India are located only in the Northern and western parts of the country. There are 3,696 monuments in India and 20% of the monuments are located in Uttar Pradesh.

92 Missing Monuments:

Recent data revealed by the Union government states that in 2013 nearly 92 monuments were announced as 'missing'. Amidst this, ASI found 68 monuments. 24 monuments are yet to be found in nearly 10 states of the country. In Uttarpradesh 11 monuments are missing, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are missing two monuments each.

As per UNESCO's reports, there are 24 World Heritage Centres in India that spread across 12 states of the country. During Covid, due to the lack of foreign tourists, these centres faced a tremendous financial loss. Yet they are still working on developing their financial status.

In the first half of the 2022- 23 financial period, more than 88 lakh foreign tourists visited the country. In the 2019- 20 period, nearly 2.5 crore foreign tourists visited the country. In the 2021- 22 tenure, it had 1.25 crore visitors. Apart from the 2021- 22 period, every year there was a steady increase in the revenue of the country through tourism. That's why the Union government allocated ₹212 crore budget to preserve the World Heritage Sites.

Big Budget for Maharashtra and Delhi:

In this financial year, Maharashtra's Ajantha, Ellora and Elephanta caves received ₹32.5 crore budget. Delhi's Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb were allocated with ₹30 crore budget. Uttar Pradesh received ₹20 crore budget for preserving its heritage sites. Nearly 50% of the heritage monuments that are under the Union Government are located only in the four states of the country. As per the official list, there are 743 monuments in Uttar Pradesh, 506 in Karnataka, 412 in Tamilnadu and 191 in Madhyapradesh.

After Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka, Tamilnadu is in third place for having more heritage sites. Yet in the 2023- 24 Union Budget, Tamilnadu in the third place was allocated only ₹18 crores for tourism whereas Maharashtra in the last place received a whopping budget of ₹32.5 crores.

Union Government Neglecting TajMahal:

Till September 2022, the Taj Mahal was in the top position in receiving more foreign tourists in the country. During the 2022- 23 period, 19,94,408 tourists visited this Monument and the income was ₹20.6 crores. Oppositions are criticising that allocating a heavy budget to Maharashtra's Ellora caves and neglecting the Taj Mahal shows the Hindutva Policy of the Union government.

In the same tenure, Tamilnadu's Mahabalipuram was visited by 6,63,385 foreign tourists and secured fifth place in the country. The place received only ₹18 crores in the 2023- 24 Union Budget. Whereas Maharashtra in the seventh place was allocated ₹32.5 crore budget.

More love for Karnataka:

In terms of World Heritage Sites, Tamilnadu got 2 sites whereas Maharashtra got 3 sites. Yet the Union budget difference between these two states is nearly ₹14.5 crores. Tamilnadu's political critics are questioning the partiality shown by the Union Government.

In terms of revenue during the 2022- 23 period, 1. Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh earned ₹20.6 crores, 2. Red Fort in Delhi ₹6.1 crores 3. Agra fort in UP ₹ 7.3 crores, 4. Qutub Minar in Delhi ₹4.1 crores, 5. Mahabalipuram in Tamilnadu ₹3.1 crore, 6. Konark Temple in Odisha ₹2.6 crores, 7. Ellora Caves in Maharashtra ₹ 2.3 crores, 8. Chittor Fort in Rajasthan ₹1.5 crores.

Karnataka wasn't even on this list. Yet it received a budget of ₹18.5 crores in the 2023- 24 Union Budget just only because it was ruled by the BJP government. Political critics condemn that apart from their partiality, the Union Government is also suppressing the cultural richness of Tamilnadu.