Domestic tourism revives in Tamil Nadu, but tourist taxis yet to get back on road

CHENNAI: Hardly 10% of taxis and maxi cabs for tourists in the state from pre-Covid times are plying despite the revival in domestic tourism.
Stakeholders in the tourism sector attribute the poor demand for tourist taxis to travellers preferring their own vehicles and app-based aggregators and reduction in organised tours.
Till 2019, at least 40,000 taxi cars and maxi cabs used to ferry tourists across attractions in Tamil Nadu, about 50%of these vehicles were running in Chennai and its neighbourhood. Now, the traction for tourist vehicles is from hotels and marriage parties.
Bus and Car Operators Confederation of India general secretary Afzal said the demand for taxis and maxi cabs will increase only after international travellers come in. “Tourists flying down to Chennai for domestic tourism mostly prefer app-based cab aggregators to commute,” he said.
V K T Balan, president of Tamil Nadu Tour Travel and Hospitality Association, sought help from the state government and the Union government. “An extension for another year must be given to pay loan EMIs as they were struggling due to adverse impact of Covid-19,” he said.