Tourism can generate employment opportunities

By J.V. Siva Prasanna Kumar
  

Chennai: Tourism sector has tremendous potential for exploitation by enterprising entrepreneurs and the aim of the Tamil Nadu tourism policy is to promote sustainable tourism that could generate employment opportunities and at the same time prolong the stay of foreign and domestic tourists visiting the State, says State Tourism Minister N. Suresh Rajan.

"The aim of the tourism department is to increase the arrival of tourists both domestic and foreign and to increase their period of stay in Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, steps have been taken to improve the infrastructure facilities and identify and develop tourist destinations and circuits in the State in a systematic manner," the minister said.

He was speaking at the inaugural of a one-day seminar on new generation entrepreneurs and tourism held under the aegis of the M.O.P. Vaishnav College for Women and School of Business and ED Cell at the college here on Saturday.

Pointing out that the seminar reflected in one way as a part of the tourism policy of the state, Mr. Suresh Rajan said chief minister M. Karunanidhi has been taking "aggressive steps" for betterment of women.

He said Tamil Nadu occupied the second place in terms of arrival of foreign tourists and third in domestic tourist arrival. Interestingly, Chennai has been placed as "best and first in hospitality."

"Our chief minister has the vision of making Tamil Nadu a leading State on all fronts including tourism," he said and sought the cooperation from the people in ensuring a memorable experience to the tourists visiting the State.

E.o.m. 24.02.07.