The state government of Chennai is encouraging those who can afford a holiday overseas to “try out” Colombo, the Times of India reported.

As the island nation is the cheapest destination from Chennai in terms of airfare, travelers from the state who are opting to go abroad for Christmas, New Year, and Thai Pongal are being encouraged to pick Sri Lanka over Dubai.

Return airfares for the Chennai – Colombo route are in the range of ₹20,000 to ₹26,000 in the current season, whereas a return ticket to Dubai is in the range of ₹40,000 to ₹200,000.