T.N. government to develop tourism infrastructure to attract foreign visitors - The HinduPublished - August 13, 2026 07:29 pm IST - COIMBATOREMinisters S. Rajesh Kumar (sixth right) and V. Sampathkumar (fifth right) launched the SKAL India National Congress in Coimbatore on Thursday. Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar (seventh right) is also in the picture. | Photo Credit: SIVA SARAVANAN S.The Tamil Nadu government will develop tourism infrastructure across the State to develop specific locations as international tourism destinations, said Minister for Tourism S. Rajesh Kumar in Coimbatore on Thursday.Inaugurating the SKAL India’s National Congress, he said foreign visitors who come to the State look for safety and infrastructure. Tamil Nadu is known as a safe State. The focus now is on developing infrastructure. In a project to be taken up jointly with the Central government, Mamallapuram will be developed into an international destination this year at ₹200 crore. River tourism will be taken up on three rivers.The government has allocated funds to encourage spiritual tourism among senior citizens, development of religious places, and forest tourism. The private sector will also be involved to develop the tourism sector on a public private partnership mode. However, the river tourism will be developed fully by the government, he said.The Tamil Nadu government is also looking at developing tourism destinations in every revenue district, the Minister added.According to V. Sampathkumar, Minister for Backward Classes, tourism is not just about travel. It generates employment, improves livelihood of the local people, and leads to exchange of culture. Though Coimbatore does not have any major tourism destination, it is the second district in the State getting high number of tourists. People visit the district for its industries, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, agriculture, and forests, he said.District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar said the district gets nearly 1.5 crore visitors annually. It has world class hospitals and educational institutions and is attracting GCC investments. It is located at the foothills of the western ghats, making it an attractive place.Venkatesan Dhattareyan, southern regional director of the Union Ministry of Tourism, said Tamil Nadu ranks second in the number of domestic tourists it attracts and ranks seventh in terms of foreign visitors coming to the country. It gets 8.5 % of the total domestic travellers and 6.5 % of the foreign tourists. With its air and sea ports and road connectivity, the State’s tourism potential is huge. It urged the SKAL members to promote travel clubs in schools.Published - August 13, 2026 07:29 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }