A study on Tourists Satisfaction with Special Reference with to Udhagamandalam

This study investigated the south Indian tourists’ satisfaction towards Udhagamandalam. A total 200 tourists interviewed through structured interview schedule. There were 19 variables used to measure tourists’ satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to report demographic variables and responses to the interview schedule. Results of the analyses showed that the respondents have high levels of satisfaction during the trip, Udhagamandalam natural diversity attraction had secured first place followed by Climate and weather conditions, Scenic beauty, Sightseeing, Flora and fauna, varieties of flowers and trees. The analyses also revealed that tourists have lower level satisfaction to the various facilities such as basic amenities, road connectivity, entrée fees, shopping facilities, medical facilitates. This research study is finally concluded 83 percentages of tourists expressed overall satisfied Udhagamandalam tour trip, 79 percentages of tourists also have mind to revisit in this place in future A study on Tourists Satisfaction with Special Reference with to Udhagamandalam Introduction “Nilgiris” the name is Sanskrit means BLUE MOUNTAINS and in Tamil NEELAMALAI. The Nilgiris District is situated in the Western Ghats. It is surrounded by the Coimbatore District, Kerala State and Karnataka State on the eastern, western and the northern side respectively. The Nilgiris District is a celebrated summer resort for the tourists from all of India. Udhagamandalam popularly called, as Ooty is the Queen of Hill Stations in India. Udhagamandalam is the capital of the Nilgiris district. The Nilgiris Hill forms a part of the Western Ghats. The name Nilgiris was due to by the blue haze envelops the range with most distant hills of considerable size. Doddabetta, the highest peak in South India with an altitude of 2,595 Meters lies in this District. The other prominent hills of this District are Elk hills, Devarshola peak, Hulical hill and Cairn hill.The main tourist attraction in this District is the Botanical Garden. Besides the Botanical Garden there are several other places. The important among them are the boat house near Bus-stand, the Rose Garden, the Deer Park, and the Doddabetta peak in Udhagamandalam. Sim’s park, Pasture Institute, Kateri falls, Lamb’s rock and Dolphin’s nose are the Important Tourist sports in Coonoor. In Kotagiri block Kodanadu view point and St. Catherine’s falls are the two main tourist attractions. In Gudalur block the main tourist attraction in Mudumalai wild Life Sanctuary1. Significance of the Tourism “Tourism has become, over the years, one of the most dynamic and successful industries of the world. Its capacity to create employment, combined with its capacity to generate foreign revenue2. Tourism plays an important role in maintaining peace and world unity by building bridges between different cultures and encouraging tolerance through cultural exchange3. Tourismrelated services are a very important or the most important foreign exchange earner4. “The tourism sector is a huge employer, creator of economic security and contributor to society”5. It also strengthens trade by boosting income for the poorest countries as well as for global suppliers. In this backdrop, the focus of the present study is to measure the Tourists Satisfaction of Udhagamandalam. Objectives of the study The main objectives of the study are to examine the profile of the Tourists and to investigate the tourists’ satisfaction towards Udhagamandalam District. Data collection and Research Methodology of the study In this study has used both primary and secondary data. It was collected from various reports of Central ministry of tourism of India, Ministry tourism of Tamil Nadu, Various research articles from journals, news papers and other reports from different tourism promoting agencies of all over the world. Primary data were collected from tourists in Udhagamandalam. This study covers entire Udhagamandalam District taken purpose of the Study and study period was Sep 2012 to Dec 2012.The personal interview schedule method used. The study was adopted convenience sampling method to collect sample from tourists. In this study used the various descriptive statistics tools such as, averages, mean and standard deviation used to arrive results and inferential statistical tools ChiSquare Test were used to arrive results. Result and Discussions In this research study finds out the majority of the respondents 58 percentage were male and reaming 42 percentage tourists were Females. Tamil Nadu tourists were 35 percentage, 20 percentage of the tourists were Andhra Pradesh and 19 percentage Karnataka. The large number of tourists showed in the age group of 25 to 35 years of age 33 percentage. Websites and tour operators’ services were the important medium communication used by tourists 24% and 20% to know the information about destination. 17% of the respondents were got information from of friends and relatives.1/5th of the tourists were used tour package offered by the different type tour operators and rests of the tourists were used to own arrangements to reach the Destination. This research study finds outs the large number of tourists were used own vehicles for destination 43 percentage followed by the rental and other vehicles contribution was 36 percentage. More than half of tourists 52.5 percentage was the major purpose for visiting for leisure, recreation and holidays. 31.5 percentage tourists were accompanying with the one person and 23.5 percentages of the tourists were come in alone. More than 3/4th number of tourists was literate 75.5 percentage and rest of 1/4th of tourists was illiterate (24.5%). The highest number of tourists having annual income 27 percentage indicated in to Rs100000 category and followed by 23 percentage of the tourists Rs.100001 to Rs.200000. More then 3/4th of tourists were spend for this up to Rs.5000 category 85 percentage. Hypotheses Testing 1. Gender and Natural Attraction relating to Tourist satisfaction H0= There is no association between the Gender and the tourists natural attractions. H1= There is an association between the Gender and the tourists natural attractions. 2. Types of Tour package and Natural Attraction relating to Tourist satisfaction H0= There is no Significant difference between Types of tour packages and the tourists natural attractions. H1= There is Significant difference between Types of tour packages and the tourists natural attractions. 3. Mode of transport Vehicles and Traveling relating to Tourist satisfaction H0= There is no association between the mode of transport Vehicles and the Traveling Experience.