Q&A with Dr. A.C. Mohandoss

Question: Please let us know about the policies and initiatives taken by the government of Tamilnadu to promote tourism in the State.

A: Tamilnadu Tourism has taken many initiatives to promote tourism in the State. Apart from marketing the core destinations like Chennai, Madurai, Thanjavur, Rameswaram and Kanniyakumari, we have identified 32 less known tourist centres which have high potential but lack infrastructure.

The rich cultural heritage, intricately carved handicrafts and hand woven silk are value additions. The hospitality of Tamilnadu has no parallel. We have realised that these positive factors can be highlighted. To make the stakeholders even more tourist friendly, we have a campaign titled “Virundinar Potruthum! Virundinar Potruthum!!” (Worshipful Guests).

Further, alternate tourism avenues like rural tourism, adventure tourism and medical tourism are being promoted in a big way. The world class medical facilities and expertise have now made Tamilnadu a medical tourism hub. These proactive measures have helped us to overcome the recessionary factors and achieve a phenomenal growth in tourist arrivals by 24.4 per cent during 2009.

Q: Can you tell us about the important tourists attractions in Tamilnadu?

A: Tamilnadu has abundant tourist attractions for a discerning tourist. To name a few, the beautified Marina Beach the second longest beach after Rio de Janeiro, world heritage attractions - Mamallapuram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Darasuram, Thanjavur and Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the grandeur of Madurai Meenakshi Temple, the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue at Kanniyakumari, the tri-sea confluence, long corridors of Rameswaram Temple, the tea gardens of the Nilgiris and Valparai, the greenery of Kodaikanal, sumptuous cuisine of Chettinad and the sprawling mansions there. The flora and fauna of the Nilgiris, Kalakkad, Mundanthurai, art, culture and architecture blend well to enchant tourists.

Q: Tamilnadu is known to have the most beautiful hilly country in India. Can you please give us some glimpses of wildlife in Tamilnadu?

A: The wildlife sanctuaries, namely, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Anamalais range, the Mudumalai Wildlife sanctuary in Nilgiris range, Mundanthurai, Kodiakkarai, Vedanthangal bird sanctuary, peacock sanctuary at Viralimalai, grizzled squirrel sanctuary at Srivilliputhur are some of the wildlife wealth Tamilnadu has. Elephants, Tigers, Panthers, Leopards, Jackals, Wild bear, varieties of birds are just a few. We have snake park and crocodile park in Chennai, which attract a large number of tourists.

Q: Tamilnadu is also known as the most beautiful hilly country in India. Please let us know some of the hilly areas being promoted by the Department for summer tourists.

A: Tamilnadu has many hill stations. Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud are well known. We have established beautiful accommodation units in these hill stations. We have boat houses also in these hill stations. We are now aggressively promoting less known hill stations like Yelagiri, Valparai, Megamalai, Sirumalai etc. to ease the pressure on main centres.

Q: Tamilnadu is a land of beautiful and historical temples. Please let us know the historical background and significance of important temples in Tamilnadu.

A: Tamilnadu has more than 30,000 temples spread across the state. To name a few, Brahadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur is 1,000 years old, and Meenakshi Temple at Madurai is more than 2,500 years old, the corridor of Rameswaram Temple is the longest in Asia and the tower of Srirangam Temple is the highest at 236 feet. Apart from this, religious centres for Hindus, Muslims, Christians and other religious are also there. We have also developed the Jain circuit recently.

Q: What are the important tours being offered to visitors by your department this summer sea-son?

A: Tamilnadu Tourism is offering numerous tours to make the tourists’ visits Tamilnadu comfortably. Of the tours, one day Tirupathi tour, eight days Tamilnadu Tour and South India Tour are very popular among tourists, particularly in the East. This Summer, we offered cool holiday packages at our hill stations. All our tours are originating from Chennai. We also offer special packages to suit the unique taste of the tourists. The Hop-on Hop-off tours between Chennai and Mamallapuram and Chennai city is a great advantage for tourists. For those who could not make a visit to spas and Taj Mahal, we have created Courtallam waterfalls and Taj Mahal right on the Marina in the Island Grounds. We have the patronage of lakhs of satisfied visitors.

Q: Please let us know about the medial tourism being developed in Tamilnadu.

A: Tamilnadu is one of the leading medical destinations in India. A large number of corporate hospitals and specialised government hospitals make our State world-renowned for cost effective treatment and post-operative facilities.

Medical tourism has gained momentum in recent times. We have publicized the health care and expertise all over the world. At the cost of a medical check up at Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, New York, Paris or London, one can come to Chennai, have the medical check up, treatment and also visit wonderful tourist attractions. There are three important components that make Tamilnadu a favoured medical tourism spot. There is no waiting time for the patients. The cost of treatment is less compared to the West. The patients can convalesce at their convenience in the hospitals. We have trained hospital staff also to enable them to effectively handle medical tourism.

Q: Can you please let us know about the accommodation available to tourists? What is the price range of luxury hotels?

A: The speciality of Tamilnadu is that the state offers accommodation for all budgets from $5 to $250 a day. The luxury hotels have a price range of $50 to $60. Tamilnadu Tourism is having a chain of 55 hotels across the state serving the tourists at their ecstasy.

Q: What is the best time to visit this beautiful state? Please tell us about some important festivals and other cultural and religious events.

A: Tamilnadu is an all-time destination and has no seasonality. Similarly, every day is a festival day here. You don’t have to plan for cultural or religious events, because, they happen frequently. Tourism Department conducts a major event - Indian Dance Festival at Mamallapuram during December - January every year. All forms of classical dance and folk dances of India are performed on one stage during the month long festival. Thousands of foreign tourists are coming every year repeatedly to witness the enthralling event.

Q: What is the ideal duration of a vacation in this state that will allow a tourist to cover all the hot spots in the region?

A: As Ihave already mentioned that Tamilnadu has no seasonality, though December - January has very nice climate. If you really want to explore and experience the entire State it would take at least a few months. But, one can have the feel of the State if it takes a tour of about three weeks.

Q: Are English speaking state guides available for tourists who come from foreign countries?

A: In general, everybody speaks English ... We have sufficient number of English speaking guides for tourists. We can send a list of English speaking guides when it is required by tourists.

Q: How do you plan to promote the various tourism sectors in the Republic of Korea?

A: We are definitely planning to promote this in a very big way offering various incentives to tourists and also assigning an exclusive selling agent / organization of our packages who in turn will understand fully and promote it and carry out the activities with a flawless approach in order to give the tourist the best deal.