Parliament Question: Steps to Boost Tourism in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*118 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 STEPS TO BOOST TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU *118. SHRI MANI A:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of domestic and foreign tourists who visited the State of Tamil Nadu during the last five years and the current year, year-wise, along with the estimated revenue generated from tourism during the said period;

(b) the details of the number of tourists who visited Dharmapuri district and its major tourist destinations such as Hogenakkal Falls;

(c) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of the contribution of tourism to employment and economic growth in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Dharmapuri district and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to boost tourism in Tamil Nadu through infrastructure development, destination promotion, heritage, eco, coastal and spiritual tourism, improved air and rail connectivity and digital tourism initiatives, including projects sanctioned or implemented in Dharmapuri district? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ******STATEMENT IN REPLY OF PART (A) to (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*118 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 REGARDING STEPS TO BOOST TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI MANI A

(a): As informed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, the number of domestic and foreign tourists who visited the State of Tamil Nadu during the last five years and the current year are as given below.

Year Domestic Tourist visits Foreign Tourist visits 2021 115336719 57622 2022 218584846 407139 2023 286011515 1174899 2024 306842014 1161302 2025 362978487 1687465 2026 189474093 1133197 (upto May) The Government of Tamil Nadu also informed that the tourism department does not have any revenue generation data.

(b): As informed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, number of Tourists who visited Dharmapuri District, including major Tourist attractions/destinations such as Hogenakkal Falls within the district is placed at Annexure I.

(c): The Government of Tamil Nadu informed that tourism has been identified as a priority sector contributing significantly to employment generation and economic development in Tamil Nadu. The State has undertaken periodic assessments through studies, policy documents, and project reports prepared by the Department of Tourism and other agencies. Tourism generates both direct employment (hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, tour operators, tourist guides and transport services) and indirect employment (handicrafts, local trade, agriculture and allied services).It also informed that in Dharmapuri district, tourism associated with Hogenakkal Falls and other attractions supports livelihoods through boating services, accommodation, food establishments, transport, handicrafts, and other tourism-related activities, thereby contributing to the local economy.

(d): Identification, development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is continuous process primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government /Union Territory Administration. The Ministry of Tourism also complements these efforts by extending financial assistance to all States/ UTs through central sector schemes such as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0), Challenge Based Destination Development

(CBDD), and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).

The revamped Incredible India Digital Portal serves as a one-stop digital solution providing travelers with curated information on destinations, attractions, and real-time travel services. Details of central sector schemes sanctioned to boost tourism in Tamil Nadu are placed at Annexure II.

Further, the state has reported that the Government of Tamil Nadu has taken several measures to develop and upgrade tourism infrastructure under State-funded schemes including:

1. Improvement of basic tourist amenities such as roads, parking facilities, toilets, drinking water, signage, lighting, viewpoints, and visitor information centers.

2. Promotion of heritage, eco-tourism, spiritual, coastal, rural and adventure tourism through destination-specific projects.

3. Intensive destination marketing through print, electronic and digitalmedia, participation in national and international travel marts, and social media campaigns.

4. Development of tourism circuits and integrated destination planning.

5. Capacity building and skill development programmes for tourism stakeholders, including tourist guides and local service providers.

6. Facilitation of improved connectivity through coordination with the concerned departments and agencies for better road, rail and air access to major tourist destinations.

7. Adoption of digital initiatives such as online information portals, digital promotional campaigns, QR-code-enabled tourist information, and improved online services through the Tamil Nadu Tourism website and mobile applications.

In the Hogenakkal area of Dharmapuri district, a sum of ₹17.57 crore was allocated for development works. These works—comprising an entrance gate, an entrance plaza with a sanitary complex, a ticket counter, shops, a cafeteria, a facilitation center, a promenade, a coracle boarding platform, a waiting area, a coracle docking area, site development, renovation of bathing areas for men and women, changing rooms, a viewing deck, a landing platform, a massage area, drinking water facilities, and food stalls—were completed and inaugurated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 26.11.2024.

********ANNEXURE-I STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (B) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*118 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 REGARDING STEPS TO BOOST TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI MANI A Tourist attraction/destination wise Number of Tourists who visited Dharmapuri District Years Name of Attraction/ Destination 2023 2024 2025 Hanging Bridge, Hogenakkal TTDC 301279 362100 188460 Govt. Museum, Archaeological, Dept, 1727 1524 1823 Dharmapuri Crocodile Park, Hogenakkal 146573 64503 104033 Hogenakkal Water falls 1761400 1286970 1651540 Sentraya Perumal Temple (ASI) 11360 11310 12730 Thoppur Darga 38630 38215 36360 Vaniyar Dam 12015 11530 13430 Subramana Siva Memorial, Papparapatti 11416 8930 15630 Theerthagiriswarar (Siva) Temple 97620 77330 80965 Theerthamalai Athiyaman Kottai 11580 11020 12340 Kalabhairavar Temple, Athiyamankottai 118125 112040 117070 Anjaneyar Temple, Muthampatty 29030 21240 22270 Malligarjunes warar Temple, Dharmapuri 32285 33945 33520 (Kottai Kovil) Kunthi Amman Temple, Kovilur, Palacodu 14035 15000 16870 Subramaniasamy Temple, Kumarasami 110160 115370 132760 Pettai, Dharmapuri Kalyana Ramar Temple, Thenkarai Kottai 15365 13680 15025 Vathalmalai 17070 37220 79570 Chitheri Hills 8720 7240 7300 TOTAL 2738390 2229167 2541696ANNEXURE-II STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (D) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*118 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 REGARDING STEPS TO BOOST TOURISM IN TAMIL NADU RAISED BY SHRI MANI A Details of central sector schemes sanctioned to boost tourism in Tamil Nadu.

Swadesh Darshan Amount Amount Released/ Amount Circuit/ Sanction Name of the Project Sanctioned Authorized for Utilization Utilized Year (in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore) Development of (Chennai- Coastal 2016-17 Mamallapuram– Rameshwaram – 73.13 71.03 71.03 Manpadu– Kanyakumari) Swadesh Darshan 2.0 Sanctioned Sanction Amount Authorized for Destination Name of the Experience Cost Date Utilization (in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore) Immersive experience at Shore Mamallapuram 29.02.2024 30.02 - Temple Challenge Based Destination Development Sanctioned Destination Sanction Amount Authorized for Name of the Experience Cost / Category Date utilization (in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore) Rameswaram Island Iconic transformation of

27.03.2025 20.01 10.01 (Spiritual Tourism) RameswaramSpecial Assistance to States for Capital Investment Sanctioned Cost Amount Released 66% Year of Sanction Name of the Project (in ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore) Development of Nandavanam 2024-25 99.67 Heritage Park in Mamallapuram

112.13 2024-25 Eco Park at Race Course in Ooty 70.23 Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Sanction Amount Amount Financial Amount Released Physical Sanction Year Project Name Utilised Progress Status (in ₹ (in ₹ Progress (%) (in ₹ Crore) (%) Crore) Crore) Development of 2016-17 13.99 13.99 13.99 100 100 Completed Kanchipuram Development of 2016-17 4.86 4.86 4.86 100 100 Completed Velankanni Development of 2024-25 8 Navagraha 40.94 11.75 0 8.06 0 Ongoing TemplesAssistance to Central Agencies Amount Amount Utilized Sanction Agency Name of Project sanctioned Released (in Amount Status Year (in ₹ Crore) ₹ Crore) (in ₹ Crore) Illumination and allied works at Gangaikonda 2024- ITDC 11.47 1.14 0 Ongoing Cholapuram Temple, 2025 District - Ariyalur Cruise Passenger Facilities Centre in the 2012- Chennai Port Trust 17.24 17.24 17.24 Completed existing Passenger 2013 Terminal at Chennai Port.

Joint development Rameshwaram Railway 2017- Physically

4.7 3.75 2.26 of tourist amenities Station 2018 Complete by the Ministry of 2018- Physically Railways and Madurai Railway Station 4.48 3.56 2.23 2019 Complete Ministry of Tourism Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality Amount sanctioned Year Name of Fairs & Festivals (in ₹ Lakh) 2015-16 Indian Dance Festival at Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu 8 2016-17 India Dance Festival at Mamallapuram 25 2017-18 India Dance Festival at Mamallapuram 25 2018-19 India Dance Festival at Mamallapuram 252019-20 Indian Dance Festival 25 2019-20 Kumari Festival 10 2019-20 Tourism Cultural Festival 15 2021-22 India Dance Festival at Mamallapuram 25 2022-23 India Dance Festival at Mamallapuram 25 2023-24 India Dance Festival at Mamallapuram 25 2024-25 Indian Dance Festival-Mamallapuram 50 2024-25 Margazhi Music Festival - Chennai 10 2024-25 Madurai Pongal Festival 20 2025-26 Indian Dance Festival 25 *****