Date:15/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/15/stories/2004101501261900.htm

Back CII moots Chennai as MICE spot

Nina Varghese

Chennai , Oct. 14

THERE is a need to assess the carrying capacity of ecologically sensitive destinations before allowing indiscriminate construction. Regulatory bodies must also be set up to enforce rules, Mr P.K. Mohan Kumar Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Tourism and Heritage Task Force, has said.

Destinations like Kumarkom in Kerala, for instance, and the backwaters were in danger of being destroyed if more hotels were allowed to come up in the area. The Government should put a cap on the number of rooms for such destinations, he said.

This will be a part of the recommendations made by the CII Task Force. Mr Kumar said it would also be recommending that local tourism authorities at the town and panchayat levels be formed. This would help getting the local people involved in the maintenance of the monuments in the area as well as in disbursing the funds collected for the upkeep of the monuments.

One of the plans of the new Convention Centre scheduled to open soon is to promote Chennai as an MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) destination, Mr Kumar said. The city has a good inventory of three, four and five-star rooms but needs other infrastructure such as good roads, transport and public hygiene.

Initiatives to promote medical tourism in Chennai had already begun, with Apollo Hospitals tying up with the Taj Group for this, he said. Mr Kumar said that Chennai and Bangalore have been approved destinations for treatment by some British insurance companies.

Since last year, two branded tourism events were developed — the Chennai Fest and Madurai Mystique. The Chennai Fest happens during the music season, from mid-December to mid-January, in Chennai, which attracts people from all over the world. During this time, Mr Kumar said, the establishments along the East Coast Road would offer discounts.

Madurai Mystique focuses on the Madurai Meenakshi Temple which is a major draw for visitors. There are a number of cottage industries in and around Madurai and the idea is encourage their participation in the event. This will get them the exposure they need, he said.