Tamil Nadu's Tourism Policy 2023: A Catalyst for Growth and Transformation in the MSME Sector

Tamil Nadu's Tourism Policy 2023: A Catalyst for Growth and Transformation in the MSME Sector

By Author

Published on October 28, 2023

The recent unveiling of Tamil Nadu's Tourism Policy 2023 has sparked a wave of optimism within the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the hospitality, tourism, and travel sectors. This policy is viewed as a transformative blueprint capable of reshaping the industry, fostering sustainable growth, and empowering small businesses.

Key Aspects and Impact Analysis:

Infrastructure Development: A New Era of Accessibility

Positive Impact: The policy’s focus on enhancing transportation networks is poised to revolutionize MSMEs' operational landscape. This infrastructural leap is expected to open up new, previously unreachable destinations, benefiting a spectrum of service providers.

Increased Occupancy Rates: For accommodation businesses like budget hotels and homestays, this translates into higher footfall, potentially boosting occupancy and revenue.

Skill Development: Elevating Service Quality

Workforce Empowerment: The commitment to skill development and certification programs is a game-changer. Upskilling the workforce will not only elevate service standards but also fortify the MSMEs’ competitive edge.

Promotion and Marketing: Amplifying Visibility

Enhanced Visibility: The allocation for marketing and promotions promises greater visibility for MSMEs. This strategic focus is key to tapping both local and international markets effectively.

 

Incentives and Subsidies: Financial Leveraging for Growth

Cost Efficiency and Innovation:

 The proposed financial incentives and subsidies are set to alleviate operational costs, thereby promoting innovation and service enhancement.

Job Creation and Economic Upliftment

Stimulating Employment

The anticipated surge in demand for services is likely to spark job creation, a crucial factor in a labour-intensive sector like tourism.

 

Sustainability and Global Competitiveness

Eco-friendly Practices

Embracing sustainable practices aligns MSMEs with global environmental trends and the growing eco-conscious customer base.

Competitive Edge

Adherence to sustainability and high industry standards sets MSMEs apart, positioning them as leaders in sustainable tourism.

Strategic Recommendations for MSMEs:

Ease of Business Processes

Streamlining registration and compliance procedures is essential to lower entry barriers for startups and encourage business growth.

Digitalization and Online Presence:

 Emphasizing the importance of digital presence, the policy should offer support in digital training and incentivize technology adoption.

Collaborations for Financial Access:

 Building ties with financial institutions and government agencies to facilitate easy access to capital is crucial for MSME expansion and technological upgrades.

Tamil Nadu's Tourism Policy 2023 stands as a pivotal moment for MSMEs in the tourism sector. By strategically aligning their business models with the policy's objectives, MSMEs can unlock enormous growth potential. This policy is not just a blueprint for business enhancement but a step towards making Tamil Nadu a globally attractive tourist destination. It promises a future where growth, sustainability, and competitiveness coexist, heralding a new era for MSMEs in the tourism sector.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Rs 13 Crore Net Profit in Q1 FY26

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 18, 2025

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) announced its financial results for Q1 FY26, recording a net profit of Rs 13 crore. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 154 crore, a 14% increase year-on-year, while operating EBITDA grew 16% YoY to Rs 45 crore. The company maintained an industry-leading occupancy of 92%, reaffirming its leadership in the hospitality sector.

ASPHL’s growth is fueled by expansion into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The company recently signed an MoU to acquire and manage four leisure properties in Goa, Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala, adding 138 rooms under its brand. These steps align with ASPHL’s strategy to broaden its presence in high-potential tourism destinations and double its key count to 5,750 over the next five years.

Flurys, ASPHL’s iconic bakery and confectionery brand, now operates 102 outlets nationwide, reflecting the company’s focus on expanding its market presence while integrating modern amenities with rich cultural heritage.

Commenting on the performance, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

"We have delivered an extraordinary and best-ever Q1, setting a strong momentum for the year ahead. With topline growth of 14% and EBITDA growth of 16%, we recorded India’s highest occupancy of 92% and maintained leadership in RevPAR in the upper-upscale segment. ARR improved by 13% and RevPAR increased by 12%. With nearly 600 new rooms added, including a 41% rise in our asset-light model, and nationwide Flurys rollout, we are poised to scale faster, enhance margins, and deliver exceptional shareholder value."

ASPHL’s strong performance in Q1 FY26 underscores its strategic focus on market expansion, operational excellence, and premium guest experiences.


Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

Marriott Announces Dividend and Expands Share Buyback Plan

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on August 10, 2025

Marriott International, Inc. has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 67 cents per share on its common stock, reaffirming its commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2025, to shareholders who are on record as of August 21, 2025.

Alongside the dividend announcement, the hospitality giant also revealed an expansion of its share repurchase program. The board of directors has authorized the repurchase of an additional 25 million shares of its Class A common stock. This comes in addition to the approximately 7.4 million shares that were still available under previous authorizations as of July 30, 2025.

Marriott has already bought back 6.4 million shares this year, amounting to $1.7 billion. These moves reflect the company’s continued confidence in its financial stability and long-term performance, aiming to strengthen shareholder value through strategic capital allocation.


Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

Chennai Postal Services Still Disrupted: Experts Call for Alternative Systems Amid Software Transition

By Author

Published on August 4, 2025

In what was intended to be a smooth digital transformation, postal services across the Chennai Circle continue to remain disrupted even days after a scheduled upgrade to India Post's new IT 2.0 system. The software transition—part of a broader effort to modernize the nation’s postal network—was implemented on August 2nd and 4th across Chennai North and South divisions. However, officials have now confirmed that technical issues still persist, leaving customers and businesses grappling with delayed or inaccessible services.

Key services such as Speed Post, registered mail, parcel bookings, and money orders have either been significantly slowed or paused altogether in many branches. Despite expectations that systems would normalize post-upgrade, the rollout of the Advanced Postal Technology (APT) system has proven more complex than anticipated.

“We are still working on stabilizing the system. There have been unforeseen glitches post-upgrade, and our teams are actively resolving them,” said a senior postal official who requested anonymity.

The disruption has raised concerns across industries—including the hospitality sector—where timely document dispatch, license renewals, vendor payments, and customer correspondence are crucial to daily operations.

Experts and industry stakeholders are now calling on India Post to introduce alternative operational strategies or backup mechanisms during such large-scale transitions.

“In a digital age where seamless service is non-negotiable, a complete blackout due to a software update is avoidable. A fallback process, whether manual or cloud-based, should be in place to ensure continuity,” said a Chennai-based hospitality consultant.

The hospitality industry relies heavily on postal services for legal documentation, international communication, and procurement logistics. The ongoing delays have caused bottlenecks not just in operations but also in customer experience delivery.

As authorities continue to work toward a resolution, the broader question remains: Should India’s essential public infrastructure be this vulnerable to a single system upgrade? The answer may lie in future-proofing core services with hybrid digital models that include disaster recovery plans and parallel systems.


Hospitalitynews.in will continue to track updates as the situation evolves.

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