Sunday turned out to be the busiest day of the we-ek and being Pongal, the city’s favourite haunts — Marina Beach, Guindy National Park and the zoo — had unprecedented crowds. But the Island Grounds, the venue of the on-going India Tourist and Industrial Fair, surpassed them all by attracting about 34,000 footfalls.
For several thousands of families in the city, the fair is the ideal family outing destination due to its varied attractions.
“We received 34,000 visitors on Pongal day. Being an extended holiday we had 65,000 persons on January16 at the fair,” a senior Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) official said. “On Kaanum Pongal (Tuesday) we anticipate over one lakh visitors to the fair,” he said.
Among the pavilions, the science and technology pavilion put up by TTDC in association with the Periyar Institute of Technology was very popular.
The models exhibited by the Indian Railways and the stall exhibiting about one hundred varieties of fish too attracted visitors.
The familiar attractions like go karting, toy train, inflatables and giant wheels too were crowded and children had to wait for a long time to avail the rides.
The only dampening factor was the high cost of dishes sold at the private stalls. For instance, a vegetable cutlet and a plate of channa cost Rs 40 each.
The TTDC’s restaurant and its food stalls however, provided scrumptious food that was moderately priced.
Last year’s edition had lured 17.2 lakh footfalls and had fetched `4.89 crore revenue to TTDC, registering a profit of Rs 2.14 crore.
Despite a delayed inauguration, the organisers viz. the TTDC, hope to net more revenue this year.
