TN among top 5 tourist destinations: Maldives Consul General

Stating that tourism was a growing industry which was impacting agriculture and telecommunications, he said, tourism was the seventh largest contributor to the economy earning Rs 14.7 trillion which was 9.6% of the nation’s GDP. Tourism is now an industry which earns almost equal to food, agricultural export and automobile Vice Chancellor Anand Samuel said, students could equip themselves by joining the clubs in the campus which could help them to better themselves. Interaction with students from the 47 countries at VIT would give them an understanding of different cultures, he added.

Stating that Vellore aimed to become the hub of educational tourism in Tamil Nadu he said the globally famous CMC hospital had led the state in medical tourism.

VIT vice president GV Senthil, revealed that all the beauties of the world were found in India but were yet to be marketed properly to benefit tourists.

Earlier students of Nepal, Tibet and Uganda welcomed the chief guest through traditional dances. Later, Indian and foreign students gave dance performances of their respective regions.

Tourism day celebrated at Kodai, Rameswaram

MADURAI: On the occasion of World Tourism Day, various events were organised at Kodaikanal and Rameswaram, the two most important tourist destinations in southern districts.

World Tourism Day, an initiative of the United Nations, is celebrated across the world since 1980 with the intention to raise an awareness on the importance of tourism. The theme for 2017 was “sustainable tourism”.

In the southern districts, World Tourism Day was celebrated at Kodaikanal and Rameswaram. At Kodaikanal, officials attached to Tourism department distributed sweets to the tourists at Kodaikanal bus stand and Bryant Park. The officials welcomed the tourists and advised them to travel safely in the hilly terrain.

At Rameswaram, the officials organised a cleanliness drive on the beach, where a large number of tourists congregate every day. NSS students of various schools participated in the drive.

At Hotel Tamil Nadu in Rameswaram, a special Rangoli was made using fruits and vegetables to welcome the tourists.