Despite a loss of Rs.30 million ($685,000) to Tamil Nadu's tourism sector in the wake of the Dec 26 tsunami, the state is fast returning to normal and expects tourist inflow to pick up by the year-end.

"The (state) Government has already put out information on its website about return of normalcy and rehabilitation works being undertaken in the tsunami hit areas," said Sakthi Kandha Das, Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) Commissioner.

Kanyakumari, Tranquebar and Mahabalipuram were among the tourist spots that had been hit by the tsunami, Das told.

Admitting that revenue from tourism was expected to decline following the tsunami devastation in the coastal areas, he said this would not have any long-term impact and tourism would pick up later in the year.

Last year, Tamil Nadu had earned Rs.20 million ($457,000) from tourism. The state was emerging as a tourist hotspot and last year 900,000 foreign and 270,000 domestic tourists visited the state, Das said.

On plans to promote tourism in the state, he said the TTDC was planning to start Ayurvedic massage centres at its properties in Kodaikanal, Ooty, Madurai and Kanyakumari.

Das said the tourism department was planning to hold the "Chettinad Heritage Festival" at Karaikudi in Sivaganga district next month. If the response is good it would be made an annual affair and more such events would be organised at other places, he said.