Tamil Nadu plans to offer tours of serene tea, coffee estates

CHENNAI: Tourists will soon be able to stay at bungalows inside tea or rubber estates in the state, enjoy a trek and learn to process tea leaves or latex as Tamil Nadu tourism is exploring ways to promote estate tourism as part of its measures to offer innovative experiences.
Tourism secretary B Chandra Mohan said the opportunity was being looked into. "This is a niche tourism segment we are looking at. We will encourage tea and rubber estate stays." He said that some of the estates such as rubber plantations in Kanyakumari have restored old buildings and were inviting people to stay there.
Tea or rubber estate tourism will offer a chance for a peaceful stay and a trek. Though estates have been encouraging stays in their properties, it is not promoted as an option for tourism by the state government among domestic travellers.
The government is also working on a master plan to work out details of the locations and a structured plan to promote the new segment.
Rubber estates in Kanyakumari district, tea plantations in the Nilgiris and coffee plantations in Kodaikanal region would be obvious picks.
The state has been focusing on its tourism offerings as it thinks people who start travelling would rather bet on newer experiences than destinations. The tourism department has been lining up proposals for tours in segments such as art and culture, heritage, festivals and fairs, spiritual and wellness, natural diversity, adventure and food.
M K Ajit Kumar of South India MICE Association (SIMA) said estate tours would be a safe option. "Estates are secluded and will attract many who love a serene atmosphere. Some of the tea and rubber estates are already offering private stays on their own. If the government promotes it, more estates will open their doors to tourists."
Tea garden retreats are popular in West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim and Kerala. The estates there offer tourists a chance to experience how tea leaves are processed and packed in the factories in addition to offering additional activities such as a trek of the mountains around. The governments also promote its tea estates and list properties ideal for stay for such tours.