International Journal of Management (IJM)

Volume 12, Issue 5, May 2021, pp. 276-284, Article ID: IJM_12_05_024
Available online at https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=12&Issue=5
ISSN Print: 0976-6502 and ISSN Online: 0976-6510
DOI: 10.34218/IJM.12.5.2021.024

© IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

POTENTIAL OF HERITAGE TOURISM IN

CHENNAI- A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO
HERITAGE BUILDINGS
K. Vijayalakshmi
Ph.D. (Full-Time) Research Scholar, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Dr. T. Milton
Research Supervisor & Dean, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management,
Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

ABSTRACT
India is having one of the oldest civilization on the planet, known for its own
diversity of great culture, heritage, folklores, arts, traditions, rituals, monuments.
Chennai is being one of the important metro city, developments with city plans and its
sustainable initiatives with the environment conservation. The primary focus of the
paper is to identify the of the current state of affairs on the heritage buildings in chennai
and the ways to redefine and preserve the architecture.
Key words: Heritage, Tourism, Monuments
Cite this Article: K. Vijayalakshmi and T. Milton, Potential of Heritage Tourism in
Chennai - A Special Reference to Heritage Buildings, International Journal of
Management (IJM), 12(5), 2021, pp. 276-284.
https://iaeme.com/Home/issue/IJM?Volume=12&Issue=5

1. INTRODUCTION
Tourism is a essential part of every beings life style in these busy world. Tourism is travel made
for a recreational activity, leisure or business purpose.
Chennai encompass a great influence with rich tradition, modern amenities an technologies,
historical and pilgrim centre's etc. Chennai is also enriched with the amenities of tourism like
both the man-made amenities and the natural amenities. In recent times, lot of Challenges has
posed serious problem for the history and the heritage. The reason would be of the public apathy
or even lack of Government's will towards the identities and the history.
The empirical study questionnaire is administered to the tourism related persons, the general
public and for historians too. The findings of these papers would serve as step in right direction
for a comprehensive conservation plan for preserving cultural significance of the heritage
buildings in chennai.

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 Potential of Heritage Tourism in Chennai - A Special Reference to Heritage Buildings

2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Barman, Jaydip (1995) has emphasized the importance of conservation of urban heritage, with
a view to improving tourism potentials. Urban areas should reveal clearly the history of
civilization through their timeless asset for enabling the tourists to appreciate the unknown
wonder and splendor of many cultural identity of the place.
Desai, Miki (1989) has enumerated the features of “urban environment and conservation”
and the approach and attitudes of Indian way of life in this sphere. Today what we are
witnessing is a total neglect and abuse of many valued buildings, carelessness about the upkeep
of places and areas of historical importance. It is high time the professionals recognize and
respond to their collective responsibility towards preserving these areas.
Grover, Razia (1988) highlights the importance of conservation of heritage buildings and
measures to improve them. He says revitalizing buildings and more importantly, entire zones
which have a distinct historic or cultural identity should be part of development schemes. Public
participation, legislative measures, fiscal incentives to private owners to maintain cultural sites
is very essential in respect of conservation of heritage buildings.
Radhakrishna, Sarvapalli (1991) opines that India's cultural heritage is not only one of the
most ancient, but it is also one of the most extensive and varied. He says India - “a unity in
diversity”. It represents a remarkable diversity out of which a unity has developed. India's
strength rests upon the principles of the unity of man, the unity of thought, and the unity of
spiritual experience.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

• To create awareness on the tourist on the history and heritage in and around Chennai
• To offer the popular tourist spots in chennai which exist with the heritage potential.
• To showcase the tourist amenities in chennai.
• To identify the architectural heritage sites in chennai.

4. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

The research is based on the empirical study, it consist of both primary and secondary data,
where the respondents are interviewed in the form of questionnaire. Stratified random sampling
method is adopted and sample size is 50 respondents and it has been analyzed by using the
statistical techniques such as percentage, bar graph .

4.1. Tourism Potential in Chennai

Chennai being developed with technology and acts as a hub of tourism with modern
technologies with emerging trends. The heritage tourism in chennai is a sizeable attractions for
more outbound tourist as the architectural style will be the key element to visit and the heritage
to be safeguarded with the new era technologies, without swap in the dynamic restoration
methods.
Chennai the capital city has several unique buildings with its own cultural and heritage
value. The historic and architectural importance of chennai concealed by the entertainment
activities as an interesting part and the chaos of the overflowing streets, the enchanting bygone
days of Madras lives in its numerous buildings with both public and private. The
recommendations from the government for heritage monuments will be useful for the tourist to
fulfill the enjoyment and also helps to explore architectural beauty of the city to a great extent.
Chennai the capital city of numerous number of historical landmarks and buildings. The
city is popular for its British-era Architecture., these building bears a great testimony to the

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 K. Vijayalakshmi and T. Milton

British architecture. Some of the heritage monuments in Chennai were Chennai Central
Railway station (1873), Southern Indian Railway headquarters (1921), General post office
(1884), Madras High Court (1892), Bharath Insurance Building (1897), Chepauk Palace (1764),
Senate House (1879, University of Madras), Government Museum Building (1879), Victoria
Public hall 1888-1890), Royapuram Railway Station (1856), Fort St George (1640) etc. Most
of the heritage buildings in Chennai were constructed out of Indo – Saracenic style architecture.
State Bank of India building (1897) in George town was constructed in Victorian architecture,
Kirk-St. Andrews Church (1821). Chennai is developing at a expeditious state, it still hasn’t
lost its old-world attractiveness. These iconic buildings are cherished to this date.

Table 1 Demographics of Respondents

DEMOGRAPHICS NO.OF RESPONDENTS PERCENTAGE
CHARACTERISTICS
AGE
21-30 YEARS 32 64%
31-40 YEARS 15 30%
41-50 YEARS 1 02%
51-60 YEARS 2 04%
GENDER
MALE 27 54%
FEMALE 23 46%
NATIVITY
CHENNAITIES 29 58%
MIGRANTS 21 42%

5. ANANLYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

All the analytical results from the Google survey form are outlined and presented and various
implications of the respondents are discussed as fallows:

5.1. Frequency of Travel

Figure 1
The above chart portrays that 30% of respondents travel occasionally ,26% of travel once
in 6 months, other 26% travel once in a year,18% of respondents travel once in a month. Hence,
the Tourism Department can promote it from a one day trips or short trip rather than a long way
itinerary travel.

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 Potential of Heritage Tourism in Chennai - A Special Reference to Heritage Buildings

5.2. Chennai is the Most Preferred Tourism Destination

Figure 2
It is identified from the above chart that respondents urge to say that Chennai is the most
preferred tourism destination for the Culture with 42% together with 30% for History, 28% for
Architecture. Hence, Chennai is a amalgamation of people so tourism is also preferred for the
culture been prevailing in city.

5.3. Tourism is Alivelihood for Many Chennaities

Figure 3
The above graph indicates that, 38% of the respondents rated with scale 4 agreed that
tourism is a livelihood for Chennaities, where as 30% have rated with scale 5 also 28% rated
on scale 3 and very ample number of respondents rated on scale 2 as 4%. Hence, this survey
depicts that many opined that its livelihood for people in Chennai.

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 K. Vijayalakshmi and T. Milton

5.4. Chennai is a Amalgamation of Culture and People

Figure 4
It is clear that 66% of the respondents have agreed chennai is mixture of culture and people,
20% rated with the scale of 4, together with 12% rated on scale 3 and also nil rated with scale
2, and only 2% opined on scale 1 the least . Hence, chennai is a home for all the diverse people
with different religion colour and creed.

5.5. Does Metro Look of Chennai Change the Past Look

Figure 5
The data obtained clears that changes made in the city for development had vanished the
vintage look of Chennai is been opined by 82% of the respondents and on No factor 18% of the
people have rated.

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 Potential of Heritage Tourism in Chennai - A Special Reference to Heritage Buildings

5.6. Chennai is a Culturally Rich Heritage City Needs to be Preserved for Future

Figure 6
86% have said affirmative respondents for preservation of chennai city in future,12%
admitted as may be, 2% interviewee answer is negative.

5.7. Present Historical Buildings are Treasure for Chennai

Figure 7
36 of the respondents rated 5 points for historical buildings are treasure for Chennai, 8 of
respondents rated 4 points , 4 responses for 3 points where as each one opted for 2 and 1 points.

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 K. Vijayalakshmi and T. Milton

5.8. Heritage Building in Chennai to be Preserved and Should not be Presented to

Public

Figure 8
40% of the respondents agree to preserve the buildings in chennai, 36% of the respondents
replied with no ,24% of the respondents said may be to preserve the chennai.

5.9. Heritage Sites Have Great Value in Many Ways Such as Cultural Identity
and Architectural Excellence

Figure 9
31 respondents have rated with 5 points to express as heritage sites have great value for
cultural identity and architectural excellence. 14 respondents 4 points, 4 respondents opted for
3 points, nil voted for 2 points, one responded for one point.

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 Potential of Heritage Tourism in Chennai - A Special Reference to Heritage Buildings

5.10. Defacing on Heritage Monuments Should be Made as an Punishable Offence

Figure 10
33 respondents rated 5 points for making defacing as an punishable offence, 11 rated with
4 points ,4 respondents voted for 3 points and 2 interviewee opined for 2 points. None opined
for 1point.

5.11. Rate the Sanitation Facilities in Tourism Destinations in Chennai

Figure 11
The tourism destinations in Chennai has been rated by the respondents in it, 12 respondents
opted for clean sanitation and rated 5 points, 12 responded for 4 points, 14 respondents opted
for 3 points, 8 interviewee voted for 2 points, 4 opined for 1 point.

6. CONCLUSION
Heritage tourism has given a tremendous boost to the revenue in the state. It has also helped in
the increase of employment opportunities in the state. It has also brought an increase in the
foreign exchange earnings. The people here also spend time making some of the most exquisite

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 K. Vijayalakshmi and T. Milton

handicrafts, which include intricate carved designs in wood, stone, and metal. Chennai is a
fascinating destination with an outstanding mix of ancient monuments; scenic, virgin beaches,
calm backwaters, delightful jungles, thrilling wildlife sanctuaries, colourful folk and classical
dances, and above all hospital people. Since the recent trend of global tourism indicates a shift
towards experimental, ethnic, cultural, heritage and eco-tourism, Chennai has an opportunity to
capitalize on its rich products composition and attract a higher proportion of international
tourism.

REFERENCES
[1] Heritage of Harmony, Dr.Ajeet Jawed, Gyan Publishing House, 2002.

[2] Vestiges of Old Madras,Henry David Love, Asian Education Services, 1996.

[3] Madras (The Queen of the South), Sura press, 1989.

[4] Madras Rediscovered, S.Muthiah,Affiliated East West Press, Madras 1979.

[5] Madras Presidency, Volume-1, C.D.Maclean, Asian Education Services,1987.

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