Tamil Nadu scores a hat trick by ranking first on tourist arrivals since 2014

According to Vellamandi N. Natarajan, state Tourism Minister of Tamil Nadu, the state has managed to retain its first position in the list of destinations having the maximum number of domestic and international tourist arrivals in India.
During his formal address in the course of Pongal celebrations organised at Kuzhumani on Tuesday, the minister said that the southern state has received the hallowed position for the third consecutive year after getting the ranking for the first time in 2014.

“A total of 1.21 crore tourists had visited Tiruchi in 2016, a marginal increase from the 1.20 crore in 2015. Steps were being taken to increase the arrival of domestic and international tourists to the State” Natarajan said.
Reportedly, the minister credited the existence of better roads, good connectivity, beautiful temples, hill stations, tourism friendly policies and an active hospitality sector as the primary reasons why the state has managed to retain its position right at the top.


He also mentioned about the various initiatives being taken to strengthen the infrastructure and basic amenities at the tourist centres in the Tiruchi district.

Natarajan also stated that the road connecting Melur and the Butterfly Park in Srirangam taluk was being improved at a cost INR 1.92 crore.

Among some of the other improvements that are being made across the state for the tourists is the installation of LED lights around the Sri Neelivaneswarar Temple at Thirupainjeeli.

To mark the auspicious occasion, a series of Pongal programmes were also held.