“Tamil Nadu Tourism is incorporating emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual reality through the creation of VR based booklets and pamphlets for online platforms. The Department of Tourism envisages to integrate virtual reality on the Tamil Nadu Tourism website for publishing various promotional videos for highlighting the attractiveness of tourist destinations,” Says Saneep Nanduri in an exclusive conversation with Souvik Goswami, Group Chief Editor of APAC News Network. Following are the excerpts:
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has been in the forefront of leveraging technology for its operations and enhancing customer experience through digital solutions. What are the latest offerings in terms of leveraging technology & innovation for the development of the tourism sector in the state?
The tourism sector in Tamil Nadu has been highly responsive to the evolving needs of tourists through the introduction of new tourism products and the development of unique destinations. With the growing use of technology in the tourism industry, various initiatives have been taken by TTDC to leverage technology to augment customer experiences. TTDC has partnered with popular online booking platforms like Makemytrip, Goibibo, Booking.com and other meta sites like Tripadvisor for amplifying market reach as well as providing utmost ease of access of booking to customers. QR codes are being used across all 22 hotels to collect customer feedback to improve the service quality of hotels, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction.
Tamil Nadu Tourism is incorporating emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual reality through the creation of VR based booklets and pamphlets for online platforms. The Department of Tourism envisages to integrate virtual reality on the Tamil Nadu Tourism website for publishing various promotional videos for highlighting the attractiveness of tourist destinations.
State-of-the-art 3D Laser mapping sound and light shows are being introduced at different iconic locations like Arjuna’s penance in Mamallapuram and Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanniyakumari.
“TTDC has been actively organizing various events and tours aimed at encouraging people to travel and aid in the post-pandemic revival of the tourism sector. In order to ensure the creation of a safe and secure tourism environment in the state, a committee was formed by the Government of Tamil Nadu to draw the “Revival plan for Tourism Sector in Tamil Nadu after lockdown of Covid-19” with officials of line departments and non-officials of tourism stakeholders”
Post pandemic, how TTDC is helping in the turnaround of the tourism sector?
TTDC has been actively organizing various events and tours aimed at encouraging people to travel and aid in the post-pandemic revival of the tourism sector. In order to ensure the creation of a safe and secure tourism environment in the state, a committee was formed by the Government of Tamil Nadu to draw the “Revival plan for Tourism Sector in Tamil Nadu after lockdown of Covid-19” with officials of line departments and non-officials of tourism stakeholders.
Tamilnadu Tourism is also making relentless efforts for effective crowd management at tourist destinations. Special vaccination camps have been conducted district wise for all tourism stakeholders for protecting their health and also ensure a safe environment for tourists. The focus is on the provision and maintenance of a safe enabling environment for tourism activities based on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) given by the government. As a part of Women’s Day celebrations, an interesting social media campaign named #SheExploresTN was launched to encourage people to travel. Events like Heritage Cycling Tour, Heritage Walks provide enriching experiences at the nexus of history, culture and active recreation. TTDC has also introduced 22% discount for increasing bookings of Hotel Tamil Nadu properties.
“TTDC has given great impetus to incorporate social media marketing as a key strategy for its marketing campaigns. Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation has launched social media handles to promote hotels, boathouses, telescope houses and tour packages operated by the organization. Through influencer marketing, TTDC is also actively planning for engaging social media influencers to popularize the brand and instill trust in the potential tourists for travelling to the state.”
What are the future plans of TTDC to make Tamil Nadu as one of the favoured global tourist hub?
Tamil Nadu takes pride in being a top priority tourist destination of the country as the state has been a witness to one of the highest domestic and foreign tourist arrivals every year. In 2020, the state received 140 million domestic tourists and 1.2 million foreign tourists, ranking first in domestic tourist visits and second in foreign tourist visits.
Dedicated efforts are being taken to position Tamil Nadu as a state where stories never end with unique tourism offerings. Tamil Nadu Tourism has identified niche tourism segments, namely Eco tourism, Wellness Tourism, Beach Tourism, Wildlife Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Rural Tourism, Adventure Tourism, Pilgrim Tourism and Heritage Tourism, that are being actively promoted on various digital media platforms in order to demonstrate the myriad tourism offerings of the state.
Lesser-known destinations like Kolli Hills, Yelagiri and Jawwadhu Hills will be developed through niche tourism products like eco-camping and adventure activities.
TTDC has given great impetus to incorporate social media marketing as a key strategy for its marketing campaigns. Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation has launched social media handles to promote hotels, boathouses, telescope houses and tour packages operated by the organization. Through influencer marketing, TTDC is also actively planning for engaging social media influencers to popularize the brand and instill trust in the potential tourists for travelling to the state. Adventure tourism-based events like Stand-up Paddling competitions, Kiteboarding championships, Surfing championships etc. will be conducted regularly to promote this segment and attract more adventure enthusiasts to the state.
