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The introduction of Tamil Nadu's first-ever Tourism Policy represents a momentous milestone for the tourism industry in Tamil Nadu. Tourism plays a pivotal role in Tamil Nadu's socio-economic landscape, with its rich cultural heritage, historic sites, natural beauty, and vibrant traditions attracting millions of visitors annually.

Tamil Nadu Tourism Policy aims to create a policy framework to move tourism into a major economic sector of Tamil Nadu, with a focus on increased revenues for local economy, support to local communities and growing tourism on a sustainable platform. The Policy strives to create a sustainable tourism eco-system in Tamil Nadu and lays emphasis on providing a safe and high – quality experience for tourists and also to create a confident and conducive environment which is safer and mutually rewarding – for tourists, businesses and other stakeholders.

Vision

To evolve Tamil Nadu into the most attractive experiential destination in Asia

Mission

  • Focus on Destination Development, along with its effective management and promotion
  • Offer extraordinary experiences leveraging the people, vibrant living cultures, diverse natural locations, ancient traditions, and history of Tamil Nadu
  • Creation of a dynamic and responsive tourism ecosystem
  • Inclusive and sustainable tourism growth leading to livelihood opportunities

Tamil Nadu Tourism Policy - Key Highlights

Grants 'Industry Status' to Tourism Projects, thereby extending the same benefits previously reserved for industrial projects to the tourism sector.

Designated Focus Tourism Destinations and Corridors which will be prioritized for development.

13 Eligible Tourism Projects : Amusement Parks, Heritage Hotels, Experiential Resorts, Eco-Huts / Camps, Ropeways, Wellness Resorts, Oceanarium / Aquarium, Golf course, Plantation / Farm Tourism Projects, Museums, Adventure Tourism Project, Cruise Tourism Project and Caravan Tourism Project.

Concentrated efforts on development of 12 Priority Tourism Segments – Adventure Tourism, Recreation Tourism, Caravan Tourism, Rural & Plantation Tourism, Coastal Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Medical & Wellness Tourism, Religious Tourism, Eco Tourism, MICE Tourism, Heritage Tourism and Film Tourism.

Streamlined approval process with Single Window clearance for all Eligible Tourism Projects.

A. Category A Projects (Projects with investment < 50 Cr)

  • Capital investment subsidy of 25% up to INR 1.5 Crores
  • Additional capital subsidy:
    • of 5% up to INR 5 Lakhs for projects Promoted by Women / SC/ST / Transgender / Divyaang persons
    • of 5 % up to INR 25 Lakhs for Scaling up
    • of 10% up to INR 5 Lakhs for Micro Enterprises
  • Payroll Incentive of up to Rs. 24,000 per employee for 3 years
  • Interest Subvention up to 5%
    • on loans of up to INR 5 Crore towards technology upgradation or modernisation scheme. (Ceiling: INR 25 Lakhs)
    • oon loans of up to INR 2 Crore obtained under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises Scheme. (Ceiling: INR 20 Lakhs).
    • 100% reimbursement of Quality Certification Cost up to 2 Lakhs for National Certification and 10 Lakhs for International Certification

B. Category B Projects (Projects with investment between 50 Cr – 200 Cr)

  • Capital investment subsidy of 5% up to INR 3 Crores.
  • Payroll Incentive of up to Rs. 24,000 per employee for 3 years
  • 100% reimbursement of Quality Certification Cost up to 2 Lakhs for National Certification and 10 Lakhs for International Certification
  • Green Industry Incentive of 25 % up to INR 25 lakhs

C. Category C Projects (Projects with investment > 200 CR)

Structured Package of Incentives on a case to base basis.

D. Electricity Tariff at Industrial Rate to Tourism Enterprises

  • New Hotel Projects in Focus Tourism Destinations will be eligible for an electricity tariff rebate (i.e. the difference between commercial tariff and industrial tariff) for a maximum period of three years subject to the condition that the rebate shall not exceed 10% of the Eligible Investment in Fixed Assets.
  • Projects in Category C, on a case-to-case basis, will be eligible for reimbursement of electricity tariff difference (difference between applicable tariff and industrial tariff) for a maximum period of 3 years subject to the condition that the project should employ a minimum of 50 people as verified through EPF payment certificates.