Tamil Nadu expects promising turnaround; longstanding request for vehicle permits remains ignored

Budget 2024 is poised to be a game-changer for Tamil Nadu, with allocations aimed at employment generation, skill development, and the upliftment of MSMEs. These targeted investments are anticipated to not only drive overall growth but also significantly enhance the state’s tourism sector.

Thanking the recent initiatives that the center has taken, Pandian Kumaravel, Chairman – IATO Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry expressed that Tamil Nadu’s tourism sector is thriving. According to him, tourism faced challenges in the first quarter due to the elections and the hot summer season. However, he is optimistic that the coming months will see a positive turnaround, as bookings for India look promising.

Last year, the Tamil Nadu government unveiled its inaugural tourism policy, granting industry status to the sector and setting an ambitious target of attracting ₹20,000 crore in investments. This policy allows tourism projects and stakeholders to access funding allocated for industrial development, paving the way for improved job opportunities and enhanced training programs.

Indicating towards this positive initiative, Kumaravel added, “Last year, the Tamil Nadu government granted industry status to tourism, a significant step forward. Additionally, this year, the government has allocated a dedicated budget to participate in both domestic and international tourism marts and to promote state tourism.” In his opinion, these proactive measures by the state government are expected to help stakeholders generate more business for Tamil Nadu.

On the other side of the coin, The Tamil Nadu Transport and Motor Vehicles Department has imposed several restrictions on public buses not registered under the Tamil Nadu government, causing significant challenges for both domestic and international tourists in terms of tourism and transportation.

While Kumaravel discussed challenges with T3, he mentioned that the tourism sector often seems to be overlooked by the government, added “The Tamil Nadu government has not issued permits for vehicles with more than 11 seats. We have raised this concern multiple times, as it reduces the number of days a tourist stays in Tamil Nadu (both domestic and international tourists).” He pleads that if the government addresses this longstanding request from Tamil Nadu stakeholders, it will significantly enhance state tourism.