• R. Panneerselvam
• Dr. A. ApsaraSaleth Mary

Tourism is travel for recreational or leisure purpose. Tourism is one of the fastest growing segments which is developing rapidly, not only in Tamil Nadu but all around the world. One of the potential tourism sectors in Tamil Nadu is heritage-based tourism, but promotion for this aspect of heritage tourism is still lacking. Especially the interest of tourist from international destination and from India too, in traveling to heritage destinations has increased recently and is expected to continue. Tamil Nadu has retained first its position in foreign and domestic tourist arrivals for the third consecutive year. In attracting Foreign tourists to see the cultural diversity of Tamil Nadu, hence, several products based on heritage that are of potential are certainly sites which have been recognized by UNESCO as world heritage sites. Among these sites are living Chola temples at Thanjavur, Darasuram, Gangaikondacholapuram, monuments at Mamallapuram and Nilgiris’s Mountain Train as world heritage. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the potential of each of these areas or sites can be enhanced by having more vigorous promotions and solid cooperation between the government agencies, travel agencies and non-governmental agencies involved.

Heritage, Tourism, Chola Temples, Mamallapuram Monuments, Nilgiri Mountain Train.

"HERITAGE TOURISM IN TAMILNADU: POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no.45-49, January-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRU006011.pdf

"HERITAGE TOURISM IN TAMILNADU: POTENTIAL AND CHALLENGES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 1, page no. pp45-49, January-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRU006011.pdf