tamil Nadu witness 8, 04, 06,657 tourist arrivals in 2009

According to a PTI report, domestic and international tourist arrivals in Tamil Nadu have witnessed a 25 per cent increase in 2009 with the number crossing the eight crore mark. A Chittaranjan Mohandoss, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) said, "In 2009, the number of arrivals of both domestic and foreign travellers was 8, 04, 06,657 compared to previous year's 6, 46, 58,671, thus registering a growth of 24.36 per cent. The number of foreign tourists was 23, 69,050 in 2009 compared to 20, 40,419 in 2008."

The number of Sri Lankan tourists, who visited the state during 2009, was 4, 23,613 compared to previous year's 3, 84,176. According to TTDC statistics, April is considered to be the peak season in terms of tourist arrivals. In April 2009, 66, 37,910 tourists visited Tamil Nadu compared to 44, 07,230 in the 2008.


TTDC has targeted a 35 per cent rise in tourist arrivals during this year. In order to increase the tourist arrival figures in 2010, TTDC has chalked out various plans including introducing adventure sports this year. TTDC also plans to introduce sailing along the coast near Muttukadu this year.