The territorial administration is planning to extend financial assistance to entrepreneurs interested in constructing beach-side hotels, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy said on Wednesday.
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“Earlier, the government used to provide subsidy up to the tune of ₹1 crore to those interested in constructing hotels in the town as part of promoting tourism. Now, there has been enquiries for constructing beach-side hotels and the government is considering providing assistance to interested parties. It is important to increase the room capacity for promoting tourism in a major way,” he said at the four-day beach festival, inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan near Le Cafe. The event is being organised by the Tourism Department.
Thanking the Prime Minister for assisting the Union Territory in promoting the tourism sector, the Chief Minister said several schemes were being planned to attract visitors. “The beaches towards Kalapet and Cuddalore area have huge potential in attracting tourists. Several projects are being planned to promote these beaches,” he said.
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‘Improve livelihood’
Stressing the importance on improving tourism sector for revenue generation in the Union Territory, the Lieutenant Governor, in her inaugural address, said the sector could generate revenue for the government and improve the livelihood of people. The Prime Minister has extended all assistance to the Union Territory in developing the tourism sector, she added. The Lieutenant Governor urged the government to evolve plans to make the beach festival an annual event so that it could become part of international tourism calendar.
In his address, Speaker R. Selvam said the importance for the Union Territory to develop tourism as revenue from agriculture sector has dwindled due to conversion of farmlands for real estate purpose. Minister for Tourism K. Lakshminarayanan said the government was in the process of preparing water sports and beach shacks policies. The framing of policies would help promote tourism. The beach festival would be made an annual event, he said.
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Legislators P.M.L Kalyanasundaram, Anibal Kennedy and Director of Tourism P. Priyatarshny were present.
The department has planned various events such as sea food gourmet, kite flying, fashion shows, cine orchestra, sky lantern display, violin concert, live band performance, uriyadi, volley ball event, dance, rock shows and sunrise fish tour, during the festival. These would be held at Gandhi Thidal, Pondy Marina, Le Cafe and Sandunes
The department was also planning to organise sailing parade behind Gandhi Statue on April 20-22.