Date:17/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/17/stories/2008121760110700.htm

Tamil Nadu

TTDC upbeat about tourist arrival

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Despite the current global meltdown and the Mumbai terror attacks, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has received a good number of enquiries from different States about its month-long Indian Dance Festival, to be held at Mamallapuram, Commissioner of Tourism and TTDC Managing Director M. Rajaram said on Tuesday.

“As a precautionary measure, the State government will provide additional security to all foreigners staying in city hotels and coastal areas. We have also issued minimum safety guidelines to the hotel management to get things organised and to get in touch with the police in case of trouble,” he said.

The Mamallapuram festival, beginning on December 25, is spread over 30 days and will blend classical and folk dance forms to celebrate art, architecture and culture.

The TTDC will also use the forthcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to sell the Indian disapora on the important tourism destinations in the State by arranging one-day package tours to Mamallapuram, Puducherry and Tirupati and a two-day package tour to Kancheepuram, the Golden Temple at Vellore and Yelagiri. Besides, there will be a hop-on, hop-off Chennai city tour.