MADURAI
With at least 2,300 years of recorded history, Madurai is rightly hailed as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu.
However, Madurai has not found the place it deserves on the tourism map of India, mainly owing to inadequate packaging and promotion of a number of sites in and around the city that are of significant historical importance.
A. Muthukrishnan, writer and coordinator of ‘Green Walk,’ an initiative to promote interest among public on archaeologically important sites in Madurai, says that the city remains a one-day itinerary for tourists, particularly those coming from abroad. “But it has the potential to retain tourists for at least three to four days,” he says.
K. P. Bharathi, Programme Leader, DHAN Foundation, says that tourist sites in Madurai can be categorised as popular sites, heritage sites, sites of Jain importance, sites along the Vaigai and traditional trade route sites. Those who visit Madurai end up paying a flying visit to the popular tourist destinations like Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Alagarkoil, Gandhi Museum and Tirumalai Nayak Mahal but never stay an additional day to admire other important destinations. There is greater inflow of North Indian tourists, who, he says, would be interested in visiting the Jain sites the lack of infrastructure prevents them from visiting these places.
V. Vedachalam, renowned epigraphist and historian, points out that there are at least 13 Jain sites with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, apart from cave temples in places like Tirupparankundram, Arittapatti, Yanaimalai and Kunnathur. “Even tanks like Madakulam that are part of the old irrigation structure can be transformed into places of tourist significance because of their rich history,” he feels.
He says that these places should be developed without disturbing their heritage value to make them attractive for tourists. He highlights the need for basic infrastructure like drinking water, improving accessibility and availability of information.
Echoing his thoughts, Mr. Muthukrishnan says these places must find mention in brochures and other propaganda materials of Tourism department of the State and Centre so that tourists, mainly those from abroad, know that these places exist. “A lot of these sites could be developed as trekking trails, which can be of interest to many adventure seeking tourists,” he says. Mr. Vedachalam also highlights the need for training guides on the significance of these sites.
G. Vasudevan, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Tourism Mart, says that foreign tourists would love to visit villages and immerse themselves in the local culture. They would be interested in trying the local cuisine, understand art forms and interact with the public. “This, however, is not well packaged,” he says.
He adds that the Tamil Nadu Tourism department can also look to packaging festivals and promote them aggressively at road shoes abroad so that foreigners can plan their travel in advance. With festivals like Pongal involving Jallikattu already pulling crowds, he says that it is essential to market the festivals as gala events to attract tourists.
Mr. Bharathi also adds that tourists must have access to an information centre where they are allowed to explore by themselves. “The State government should present its development demands to the Union government in advance so that budget can be approved and amenities bettered,” Mr. Vasudevan says. He adds that more videos, travel blogs and better promotion on road shows are a necessity. While few projects to be implemented under the Smart Cities Mission can boost tourism, experts feel that far more has to be done.
Madurai’s increasing potential for becoming a medical tourism hub must also be given importance, experts from medical fraternity opine. Rohini Sridhar, Chief Operating Officer, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, says that the city has improved vastly in terms of medical infrastructure in all specialities. She adds that further augmentation of flight connectivity to Madurai from foreign countries can boost medical tourism.