Opportunities for showcasing Madurai district as a tourist hub, as part of the overall development of the region, are high, reveals the Confederation of Indian Industry’s District Development Plan for 2015-16. With the flow of foreign and domestic tourists growing every year, the plan has identified a range of alternative tourism activities, which include eco-tourism treks, visit to bird sanctuaries in the district’s waterbodies, village and agri-tourism.
“From November to February, migratory birds throng waterbodies in Madurai district. During the season, tourists can easily spot more than 50 species on any day. There is a lot of potential to promote bird sanctuaries here as birdwatchers have been recording rare species for over 40 years,” said N. Raveendran, coordinator of Madurai Nature Forum.
The Department of Tourism organises visits to villages during the Pongal season to give foreign tourists a feel of the festival. The plan suggests promotion of regular village visits and agri-tourism by taking visitors to paddy fields and jasmine gardens.
“This will require more manpower in the form of trained guides and persons who know the villages to escort tourists as there are safety issues involved,” said an official of the tourism department.
The report also details the setting up of a handicrafts bazaar and special shops to sell Madurai-centric items such as jasmine garlands and Sungudi saris. The CII report moots public-private partnership mode to promote new ventures that can be implemented by the Department of Tourism.
S. Sundar, president, Madurai Travel Club, noted that a long-term vision and contribution by all stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem was needed for substantial development.
“The presence of an effective user interface which will connect tourists to what the district has to offer is needed and sadly the Madurai Sightseeing Company, one such interface, did not attract much patronage. It remains to be seen how such a development plan can bring about a change,” he said. Madurai being the gateway to the south, serves as a base for travellers to reach places like Kazhugumalai, Kanyakumari, Tiruchendur, Rameswaram and Palani.
