Tourism stakeholders pitch for reopening the TTDC Hotel at Tharangambadi
Tharangambadi, once a thriving Danish trading outpost, remains a prominent heritage tourism destination — known for its colonial architecture, historic churches, and the ancient Masilamaninathar temple — and continues to attract both domestic and international visitors on a daily basis.
The TTDC hotel, built in 2000 and inaugurated by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, functioned under the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department until it was closed in 2017, reportedly because of poor revenue performance. It was briefly leased to a private hospitality group, which used it for limited events and parking before returning the property without maintenance.
Since then, the hotel has remained locked, despite Tharangambadi seeing a steady stream of tourists — particularly on weekends. With only high-end private hotels operating, overnight stay in the town remains inaccessible to middle-income and student travellers.
'If restored, this TTDC hotel would be the only affordable public lodging in Tharangambadi, where only premium hotels charging exorbitant rates currently operate,' said Pon. Rajendran, Vice-Chairman of the Tharangambadi Town Panchayat. 'Many tourists leave the same day due to high cost. Reopening this facility would promote inclusive tourism,' Mr. Rajendran said.
The State government allocated ₹4.5 crore for the hotel's renovation in the 2024–25 tourism budget, to be implemented through the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. However, work has not started yet.
Official sources from the TTDC said restoration work would begin shortly and was expected to be completed within a year.
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