The Tamil Nadu government, in association with Global Media Box, will organise a three-day hot air balloon festival in Pollachi during Pongal 2023. It is planned as a family carnival event featuring musical performances for both kids and adults.
Coimbatore,UPDATED: Dec 14, 2022 15:16 IST
A 3-day hot air balloon festival will be held in Tamil Nadu’s Pollachi during Pongal 2023. (Credits: TN Tourism)
By Latha Srinivasan: Tamil Nadu tourism minister M Mathiventhan, while inaugurating the TN hotel rooms and restaurant in Coimbatore’s Gandhipuram on Monday, announced that the tourism department would be conducting a three-day hot air balloon festival in Pollachi during Pongal.
The minister, along with other tourism officials, went to Achipatti near Pollachi to inspect one of the proposed sites for the balloon festival which is scheduled in January. The Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF) will be held between January 13 and 15, 2023.
HOT AIR BALLOON FEST: A FAMILY CARNIVAL
The festival is being planned like a family carnival so that adults and kids have a great time during Pongal. “During the festival, the department has decided to conduct cultural events in the evenings,” said Minister Mathiventhan. The hot air balloon festival is being conducted by the tourism department in association with Global Media Box.
Benedict Savio of Global Media Box told IndiaToday.in exclusively, “This festival will be inaugurated on January 12 and is planned over three days. There are about 10 hot air balloons from about eight international countries, like the UK, US and Netherlands, which are participating. The hot air balloon rides are typically conducted early in the morning and in the evening,” he said.
ALSO READ: Want to experience Hot Air Balloon ride? Here are the top places in India to fly high
In the evenings from January 13 to 15, there will be a music band performance. On January 13, the audience will get to see the famous band Thaikuddam Bridge perform. On January 14, it will be musician Rajesh Vaidya. On January 15, the Super Singer performers and winners will perform live.
The entry ticket for adults is Rs 100, while it is free for children below the age of 12. Benedict Savio added, “There is a special kids’ play area also, so that they don’t miss out on any fun.”
Sandeep Nanduri, Tourism Director and the Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation, confirmed that the gala balloon festival at Pollachi will have all these exciting programmes.
TOURISM BOOST FOR TAMIL NADU
The tourism department has been actively promoting the hill stations across Tamil Nadu on social media. The minister stated that the tourism department planned to develop 15 tourism spots in Tamil Nadu every year by building new infrastructure in these spots. He said that Kolli hills, Jawadhu hills, Yelagiri, Kolavai lake, Poondi lake, Gundaru dam, Chittaru dam, Poompuhar and Hogenakkal are well developed now.
Currently, ecotourism is being promoted in the state with a focus on Yelagiri hills. Earlier, this year Tamil Nadu emerged as a leading tourist destination as per the India Tourism Statistics 2021 published by the Union ministry.
