Tamil Nadu witnessed an increase in the number of tourists with about 6.40 crore visiting it in 2008, registering a growth of 23.4 percent compared to the previous year.
Foreign tourist arrivals also increased from 15.53 lakh in 2007 to 20.40 lakh in 2008, registering a growth rate of about 16 per cent,according to the policy note presented by State Tourism Minister Suresh Rajan in the Tamil Nadu Assembly today.
The average length of stay of a foreign tourist in Tamil Nadu was seven days while it was four to five days in the case of a domestic tourist. 'A foreign tourist spends Rs 4,396 per day while a domestic tourist spends Rs 1,422. A day-visitor spends Rs 540 per day,' it said.
Among foreign tourists, 23 per cent stayed in star hotels, 44 per cent in budget hotels and 13 per cent in Guest and Rest houses. The corresponding percentages for domestic tourists were 10, 49 and 14 respectively.
The Government had undertaken nine major projects across the state at a cost of Rs 32.23 crore with an aim to increase the number of tourists visiting the state,it said.
After revamping the state Tourism Development Corporation's website,more than six lakh tourists visited the website during 2008-2009 compared to 5.27 lakh tourists in the corresponding period of last year, the policy note said.
{{/usCountry}}After revamping the state Tourism Development Corporation's website,more than six lakh tourists visited the website during 2008-2009 compared to 5.27 lakh tourists in the corresponding period of last year, the policy note said.
{{/usCountry}}Tourists from more than 70 countries especially from Spain, US, London, France, Australia, Finland, Canada, Norway, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, China, Dubai, Mauritius, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and South Africa booked hotel accommodations and tours, using online facility.