Tamil Nadu Revives Exclusive Tourism Development Committees to Boost Local Tourism

Tamil Nadu Revives Exclusive Tourism Development Committees to Boost Local Tourism

By Author

Published on February 22, 2024

In an ambitious move to spur growth in the tourism sector, Tamil Nadu's Finance Minister, Thangam Thennarasu, announced in his recent budget speech the revival of exclusive tourism development committees for each district. Chaired by the district collector and co-opting representatives from key stakeholders, these committees are set to promote tourism across the state, marking a significant step towards realizing the potential of Tamil Nadu's diverse attractions.

This initiative, first introduced during the tenure of former chief minister M Karunanidhi, aims to foster destination development under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The committees are tasked with the upgradation of existing attractions, development of new ones, implementation of a comprehensive maintenance plan, and an institutionalized effort to train local youth, thereby creating ample job opportunities.

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The focus on destination development is part of the state government's broader strategy to enhance Tamil Nadu's appeal to both domestic and international travelers. With India's spiritual tourism and the charm of tier-II cities gaining traction, these efforts are expected to contribute meaningfully to the state's tourism landscape in the coming years.

V K T Balan of Madura Travels, a member of the TN tourism promotion and development committee, welcomed the move, stating that it would lead to a more effective development and promotion of tourist spots, arts, and culture unique to every district. The initiative is also seen as a pathway to job creation, with the potential to significantly impact the local economy.

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The state's emphasis on religious tourism, coupled with the push for development in pilgrim places, underscores the importance of this sector. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts' recent franchise deal to open a Ramada Encore by Wyndham property in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, highlights the growing interest in leveraging religious and spiritual tourism for economic growth.

As Tamil Nadu gears up to implement these exclusive tourism development committees, the state sets an example of proactive engagement and collaboration between the government and the private sector. This model not only aims to elevate Tamil Nadu's status as a premier tourist destination but also underscores the state's commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth in the tourism sector.

With these initiatives in place, Tamil Nadu is poised to witness a significant transformation in its tourism landscape, offering enriched experiences to visitors while fostering local development and job creation.


IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

IndiGo Focuses on Operational Stability, Plans Select Route Expansion

By Hariharan U

Published on January 3, 2026

IndiGo has outlined a cautious yet forward-looking approach as it prepares for the next phase of growth, placing strong emphasis on “operational reliability” while planning a limited set of international route additions. The airline said its immediate focus is to “stabilise operations” as it continues to strengthen capacity and network resilience.

As part of its international plans, IndiGo has announced the launch of non-stop services to Athens. This route will also mark the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR, a new aircraft type expected to support the airline’s entry into fresh overseas markets as it gradually expands beyond short-haul operations.

Beyond Athens, the airline has not shared details of additional international destinations or capacity increases. IndiGo stated that it will continue to grow its international footprint while further densifying its domestic network, without outlining the pace or scale of expansion.

On the domestic front, the airline is also preparing to begin operations from Noida International Airport at Jewar, strengthening its presence in the National Capital Region once services commence.

Addressing recent operational challenges, IndiGo said it had swiftly restored normal operations following a temporary network disruption. The airline also confirmed that it is “fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator's committee” as part of an ongoing review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

While IndiGo reiterated its long-term ambitions, including plans related to widebody aircraft and sustained growth, its near-term outlook remains measured. The airline said its renewed focus on stability will help drive future scale, innovation, and impact as it carefully explores new frontiers.


Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

Navi Mumbai Airport Sees 26,000+ Passengers in First Five Days

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has made an impressive start, handling a total of 26,021 passengers in its first five days of operations. This includes 12,431 arrivals and 13,590 departures, showing strong demand right from day one.

Weekend traffic was particularly high, with 5,548 travellers on Saturday and 5,614 on Sunday, reflecting growing confidence among passengers. During this initial period, the airport managed 162 flight movements, 81 arrivals and 81 departures, while keeping on-time performance smooth for both airlines and ground services.

Currently, NMIA connects 13 major domestic destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Goa (MOPA), Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mangalore, Nagpur, Vadodara. These connections cover key business and leisure hubs, giving travellers more options and conveand nience in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand its network with additional destinations and increased flight frequencies in coordination with partner airlines. With strong early passenger response and ready infrastructure, NMIA is set to become a modern, seamless travel hub in Western India


Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

Air India Expands Partnership with airBaltic to Offer Seamless Connectivity to Latvia

By Hariharan U

Published on January 1, 2026

Air India has strengthened its partnership with airBaltic, the flag carrier of Latvia, by entering into a new codeshare agreement, making travel between India and the Baltic region easier and more seamless for its customers. This move builds on the interline partnership established between the two carriers in June 2025.

Under the codeshare, Air India has begun adding its ‘AI’ designator code on airBaltic-operated flights between Riga and Air India’s European gateways including Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan Malpensa, Vienna, Zurich, and London Gatwick. This allows passengers to travel between India and Riga with a single Air India ticket, covering connecting flights under the same booking.

Additionally, Air India’s interline agreement with airBaltic allows travellers to reach Tallinn, Estonia, and Vilnius, Lithuania via select European gateways, further expanding access to the Baltic region.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said, "This expanded partnership with airBaltic reflects Air India’s commitment to providing seamless global connectivity to our customers. Latvia and the wider Baltic region are growing travel markets, and this codeshare makes the journey more convenient than ever."

Air India currently operates multiple non-stop flights connecting India with Europe:

  • Delhi: Amsterdam (7x weekly), Paris (14x weekly), Frankfurt (12x weekly), Copenhagen (4x weekly), Milan (6x weekly), Vienna (4x weekly), Zurich (4x weekly)

  • Mumbai: Frankfurt (5x weekly)

  • Amritsar & Ahmedabad: London Gatwick (3x weekly each)

Since its privatization in 2022, Air India has expanded its global alliance network to include 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements, offering passengers access to over 800 destinations worldwide.

The new codeshare flights are now available for booking through both airlines’ official channels and travel partners.

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