The Tamil Nadu government is set to develop iconic film shooting locations under a PPP model, investing ₹48 crore in infrastructure and amenities.

  • Popular film shooting locations to be developed via Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
  • ₹48 crore allocated for landscaping and amenities at major dam sites.
  • Feasibility studies underway for cruise and ferry tourism with a ₹2 crore budget.
  • AI-based CCTV surveillance to be installed at key locations.

In a significant move to boost the state's tourism sector, Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar announced on Wednesday that the department is looking to develop popular film shooting spots. This initiative will be executed through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode to ensure high-quality infrastructure and management.

Recognizing the growing trend of 'set tourism' where fans visit locations to relive cinematic moments, the project aims to establish experience centres, clear signage, dedicated parking, and refreshment areas. To integrate technology, detailed information about these spots will be accessible to the public via QR codes.

Read Also:Analyzing India's Tourism Potential and Global Challenges

Major Development Sites

The Minister highlighted that a budget of ₹48 crore has been earmarked for developmental works at several key locations. These include:

  • Pechiparai Dam in Kanniyakumari district
  • Thirumurthi Dam in Tiruppur district
  • K.R.P. Dam in Krishnagiri district
  • Kodiveri Dam in Erode district

The upgrades will focus on enhancing the visitor experience through landscaping, dedicated play areas, seating arrangements, and essential amenities like drinking water and clean toilet facilities.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that by leveraging its massive film industry (Kollywood) footprint, Tamil Nadu is diversifying its tourism portfolio. Transitioning from traditional sightseeing to experiential 'cinematic tourism' can significantly increase the length of stay for domestic and international travelers.

Integrating film heritage with modern infrastructure is a strategic masterstroke for regional economic growth.

Expanding Horizons: Cruises and Ropeways

The state is also exploring maritime tourism. A sum of ₹2 crore has been set aside to prepare feasibility reports for cruise and ferry tourism. Proposed coastal routes include Chennai – Kovalam, Poompuhar – Tranquebar – Nagapattinam, and Rameshwaram – Thoothukudi – Kanniyakumari.

Furthermore, the government is studying the feasibility of introducing rope car facilities in popular hill stations like Ooty and Kodaikanal. To ensure visitor safety, an additional ₹2 crore will be spent on installing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based CCTV cameras at critical tourist locations.

Did You Know?: Cinematic tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, turning movie sets into permanent landmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which districts will benefit most from this tourism project?
Kanniyakumari, Tiruppur, Krishnagiri, and Erode are the primary districts slated for immediate dam-based developments.

2. How will technology be used to assist tourists?
The department will use QR codes for information dissemination and AI-powered CCTV for enhanced security.