Face to face with Iraiyanbhu, I. A. S.

Q: Do you go for site-seeing with your family?

A: Yeah, I go on tours with my family. I choose places not frequented by people and also forest areas for picnic. I return home with sweet memories of the place after having rested in the lap of Mother Nature!

Q: What are the steps that have been taken by the Tamil Nadu tourism development corporation to kindle the interest of the people in touring?

A: The Tamil Nadu tourism department creates infrastructure facilities at the various tourist spots. It helps create basic facilities, lodging etc. for the tourists. It advertises about the tourist spots to create awareness among the people. It participates in camps at the national and international levels with the aim of attracting people to the tourist spots in Tamil Nadu by telling about their glory. It does the work of a coordinator by arranging package tours for people coming from other states by running lodges, boat houses etc. It holds exhibitions on Island Grounds for the sake of educative entertainment. It makes all out efforts at preserving our tradition, arts, creating job opportunities, cultivating friendship, improving understanding, lessening the tension of the people, augmenting their interest and confidence and rendering them brisk by coordinating the works of various departments. It is always alert at developing tourism.

Q: People go to hill resorts like Ooty and Kodaikanal to escape from the burning heat. Is this year’s strength of tourists satisfactory?

A: During summer, more tourists come to Tamil Nadu. But they come to specific places only. The aim of the tourism department is to make them visit places that have not become popular yet. Then only, touring ambience will be developed. The tourists’ visits will be evenly spread. Job opportunities will be created in many places. There should be broad based growth. If it happens in some places only, then it is inflation. The Tamil Nadu government is implementing the plan of incentives to unfamiliar tourist spots with their growth as the aim.

Q: Have any new plans been implemented to increase the number of tourists?

A: Experienced, straightforward guides help comfortable site-seeing. The tourism department has trained 200 candidates selected from various parts at the Anna development training center. They have been issued approval cards. Steps are being taken to make retired teachers and government servants work as coaches for the trainees. Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu has a special place in the list of the tourist places of global fame. To attract more tourists, horse-riding, camping tents and cycle-riding for children have been introduced. Also, the department is trying to create awareness on the importance of hospitality among auto and taxi drivers through awareness camps. Steps are being taken to build a boathouse and floating restaurant in Mudaliar kuppam.