Tamil Nadu boosts heritage tourism to increase GDP contribution

Tamil Nadu is looking to its history to boost tourism. The state aims to increase the tourism contribution to its economy from 8% to 12% by 2030. This goal aligns with its ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by the same year. "We need to fully leverage Tamil Nadu's tourism potential," said K Manivasan, additional chief secretary for tourism. The government plans to promote initiatives like the Chola Trail to attract more visitors. To support these efforts, a budget of 272.5 crore has been set for the tourism department in the next fiscal year, marking a 97.5% increase from the previous year. Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu emphasized the importance of showcasing Tamil heritage through advanced museums. New museums are planned in key historical locations. For example, the Noyyal Museum in Erode will focus on excavations from Kodumanal, while the Naavaai museum in Ramanathapuram will highlight the Pandyas' maritime trade. Additional cultural museums will be created in Mamallapuram and Tiruvannamalai as well. There will be an Indus Valley cultural gallery added to the Government Museum complex in Egmore. These museums aim to be top-notch, with features like virtual walkthroughs and audio commentaries. The government also hopes to attract international Tamil scholars by offering a prize for the World Tamil Olympiad and promoting translations of the Tirukkural. Recent reports show a significant rise in tourist arrivals in Tamil Nadu, with numbers tripling in three years. This growth has drawn interest from hospitality industry stakeholders. "India has great potential in the hotel market," stated Sudeep Jain from IHG Hotels & Resorts, which is expanding its presence in the state.