The Travel Mart (TTM) Society, which was launched here on Saturday, will showcase Tamil Nadu globally to make it the preferred destination of both domestic and foreign tourists.
According to the promoters, such a society has been formed in the State for the first time, with all stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry from Chennai to Kanniyakumari. It expects tourist arrivals to go up as the TTM Society feels that only an abundant tourist flow into Tamil Nadu will solve all problems of the different segments of the tourism industry.
“This will also help directly and indirectly in enhancing job opportunities, improving infrastructure and connectivity. Ultimately, it will help in the overall socio-economic growth of the State,” said a stakeholder.
One of the main objectives of TTM Society will be organising Travel Mart, on the lines of Kerala Travel Mart, once in two years, by inviting foreign buyers and domestic tour operators. Veterans in the industry will share their knowledge of tourism in order to improve the prospects of budding operators in the State. The Travel Mart will be a platform even for the smallest players to sell their products at affordable cost.
The managing committee of TTM consists of 50 members representing all towns of the State, which has been divided into four regions — Pallava, Chola, Pandya and Chera. The members will form small clusters in their towns to work with Collectors in infrastructure development and promotion of the region.