With good response to the trekking expedition at eco-tourism sites, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department (TTDC) plans to identify and promote more lesser-known destinations.
So far, three places including Top Slip, Yercaud and Kolli Hills have been identified as eco-tourism sites and trekking trips to these places were launched in October.
According to officials of the Department of Tourism, over 400 people were so far taken on trekking trips since the launch. A total of 18 trips were conducted and more are on the anvil.
The Department, as part of its initiative to promote eco-tourism, has identified 72 places as potential eco-tourism sites in the State, with nearly 30 sites in Kanyakumari alone. In last few months, a good number of places in Tirunelveli and Madurai have also been identified as eco-tourism sites, he said.
The tourists have been a composite group of nature lovers belonging to different age groups mostly from places such as Bangalore and southern parts of Tamil Nadu. In an attempt to attract people from Chennai, TTDC has begun its promotional initiatives for lesser-known tourist destinations in and around Chennai and Vellore.
“We are identifying a lot of places that needs to be popularised among public. We are introducing these places only in phases as the Department is now focussing on improving tourist amenities in such places before opening it for public,” an official said.
The trekking trips to Kolli Hills and Mudumalai are likely to be suspended during April and May, as the forest officials would restrict visitors owing to forest fires during the dry months.
