Madurai: Tourism enthusiasts have expressed concern that Tamil Nadu is not fully tapping its natural strengths for adventure tourism, despite having mountains, waterfalls, rivers and beaches suited for such activities.
They noted that overall tourist arrivals in the state fell to 11.53 crore in 2021 due to the COVID-19 impact. After restrictions were lifted, tourism gradually recovered, with total arrivals rising to 36.29 crore last year.
Foreign tourist arrivals also increased sharply—from 57,622 in 2021 to 16.87 lakh last year. Enthusiasts said many international visitors are particularly interested in adventure experiences such as cycling trips, trekking and river crossings.
However, they alleged that most destinations continue to focus mainly on basic sightseeing facilities, while essentials for adventure activities—such as safety infrastructure and trained guides—remain inadequate. As a result, people often depend on private amusement parks for adventure experiences.
They further pointed out that while the state budget has allocations including Rs 20 crore for a state-level food festival and Rs 25 crore for an eco-tourism mission plan, dedicated initiatives for adventure tourism are missing. They said regions such as Kodaikanal, the Nilgiris, Theni and Coimbatore, along with coastal belts, have scope for trekking, rock climbing, ziplining and cycling, and that creating adventure tourism hubs could boost arrivals and generate jobs for local youth.
