The State Government has been losing earnings from tourism sector in Erode district due to the persisting delay in establishing Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation office, according to trade and industry sector representatives.
The tourism potential at Bhavani Sagar, Perumpallam, Gunderipallam, and Varattupallam reservoirs and Kodiveri Anicut have not been tapped as there have been no effective campaign to attract visitors from elsewhere in the State and the country, they say. There are annual events of high significance. For instance, the annual horse fair, if popularised, would attract tourists in droves, officials acknowledge. Presence of a Tourism Officer would help in following up proposals for strengthening of tourism infrastructure and ensuring their implementation in a time-bound manner.
Once the TTDC office is in place, the department will be in a position to arrange pilgrimage package tours covering the main temples including Bhavani Kooduthurai temple, Sri Bannari Amman Temple, Chennimalai Murugan Temple, and the Kodumudi Magudeswarar temple that attracts pilgrims from Karnataka in large numbers. The HR and CE Department has already readied a handbook detailing the route options for the convenience of pilgrims visiting the famous temples in the district.
Sources said posting of a Tourism Officer has been sanctioned. The department has sought space within the Collectorate complex to establish the TTDC office, it is learnt. Toursim aspects in Erode district is being looked after the Tourism Officer based in Dharmapuri.
