International Journal of Research ISSN NO: 2236-6124

A STUDY ON VISITORS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS TOURIST SPOTS IN AND THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICTS

R. Agalya Ph.D. Research Scholar of Commerce (Reg. No.9589) Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli – 627 012, , .

Dr. R. Nirmala Research Supervisor Assistant Professor in Commerce Govt. Arts and Science College, Kovilpatti – 628 503. Affiliated to Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Abishekapatti, Tirunelveli – 627 012, Tamil Nadu, India.

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Abstract

This study is to examine the visitors’ attitude towards tourist spots in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. This study has used that primary data through questionnaire and secondary data has collected that from various published periodicals. This study has collected that sample each 350 visitors from Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. The study has involved a survey of selected sample tourists, both domestic and foreign, who visited tourist centres in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. In additional result the respondents’ attitude towards tourist centres in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. Nellaiappar Temple and Courtallam is the most important tourist centre in . Thoothukudi port, Lady Snows and Trichendur temple considered to be the most important tourist centre in Thoothukudi District. Further it shows all the personal factors have no significant influence on the selection of the tourists’ spots. Finally conclude result carried out the Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts is the land of rich culture, traditions and festivals and is a major trade and tourist destination of TamilNadu, attracting thousands of tourists across the world every year. There is an opportunity to develop tourism industry on large scale in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. Finally, results suggest that, to develop the tourist in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts and intend to satisfy the visitors’ needs, Government should take necessary steps to promote these tourist products. The promotion may take place through Government tourism project or involvement of private organization and problems addressed properly and enough publicity is given the tourist spots of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts shall be explored to the optimum level.

Keywords: Visitors, Domestic, Foreign ------

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INTRODUCTION

Tourism is the largest sector in the world wide export of goods and services and accounts for 12% of the total global income (Anabalagan, Selvam and Amudha 2008). In sector wise employment generation in India, the tourism industry is playing the second most important contributing role with 47.5% of the total employment generation after hotels and restaurant (Indiastat.com, 2013) The total contribution from the travel and tourism industry to the global GDP by 3 % in the year 2012. This growth rate is believed to be must faster than the growth rate noticed in a number of broad industries like Manufacturing financial and Business services and retail. This growth rate made a direct contribution of US $ 2.1 trillion to global GDP in the same year, resulting in supporting 101 million direct jobs in the sector (World Travel and Tourism Council [WTTC], 2013).

Tourism as the world largest business is a complex system of integrated parts and each of its dimensions receives attention at different times and locations, depending upon the specific purpose and interest of a study at hand (Murphy & Murphy 2006).

OBJECTIVES

To identify the tourists spots in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi Districts.

METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY

The study is based on primary data. The data was collected through interview with the help of structured Questionnaire. The sample comprehends of Indian and foreigners. Primary data was collected from various books, journals, published materials and website. The sampling method used for the survey was the convenience sampling method.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION: Average score, Chi square Analysis, Likert Score.

Attitude towards tourist centres Tourist Centres Likert Score Ranking Courtallam 413 II Uvari 334 XIV Papanasam 335 XIII 365 IX Manjalai 275 XV Sankarankovil 348 XII Kalakkad 352 XI Nellaiappar Temple 417 I Pottal Pudur Durgha 350 XI Manimuthar 376 VII Koothankulam 372 VIII Ettaiyapuram palace 362 X Kattabomman fort 390 VI Panchalankuruchi 295 XVI Lady snows 396 IV Trichendur temple 392 V Port 411 III Source: Primary Data

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The above table shows the overall attitude of the tourists in the tourist centres. According to the tourists ranking the likert score reveals that the Nellaiappar temple as the most satisfying tourist centre which is followed by Courtallam and ports in Thoothukudi district. CHI-SQUARE ANALYSIS

PERSONAL FACTORS VS FREQUENCY OF TOUR

Hypothesis : The personal factors of the respondents have no significant influence on frequency of tours.

Personal Factors Chi-square P Values S/not significant Age 17.607 0.03 S Gender 23.533 0.262 NS Nationality 5.900 0.112 NS Marital Status 19.732 0.475 NS Education 18.561 0.551 NS Occupation 46.625 0.001 S Annual Income 36.249 0.002 S

It is concluded that the age, occupation and annual income of the respondents have significant influence on the frequency of tour.

It is observed that the hypothesis was accepted (not significant) for all personal factors. It is conclude that all the personal factors of the respondents have no significant influence on the selection of the tourists’ spots.

PERSONAL FACTOR VERSUS SOURCE OF

KNOWING ABOUT TOURIST SPOTS

Hypothesis: The personal factors of the respondents have no significant influence on the source of knowing about tourists spots.

Personal Factor versus source of knowing about tourist spots Personal Factors Chi-square P Values S/not significant Age 9.494 0.660 NS Gender 3.643 0.456 NS Nationality 25.312 0.04 S Marital Status 5.817 0.213 NS Education 26.516 0.009 S Occupation 26.852 0.139 NS Annual Income 15.209 0.055 NS

It is observed that the null hypothesis has been accepted (Significant relationship) for the nationality and education with the source of knowing about the tourists spots. The hypothesis is accepted (no significant relationship) for the age, gender, marital status, occupation and annual income of the respondents and the source of knowing tourists spots in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.

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CONCLUSION

This study examines and reveals the attitude of visitors towards tourist spots in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. It highlights the necessary measures that need to be taken regarding issues relating to transport facilities, infrastructural development and so on. The tourist arrival in Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts is excess during the months of June and September, January and March.

The Government can attract the tourist by opening their own trade centres for regulating the price of the articles sold at both the districts and the places which have been ranked as satisfactory by the respondents can be improved in order to make them highly satisfied. It is evident that the suggestive measures outlined in the study when implanted will help both the districts to attract more visitors as well increase the frequency of the tourists too.

REFERENCES

1. Anbalagan.M, Selvam.V & Amudha R (2008), “Tourism-An Umbrella Organisation to Transform the society and Economy”, In M.Biju (Ed), Tourism – Impact globalization Delhi Virgo Press. 2. Murphy, P.E & Murphy, A.E (2001) “Strategic Management for Tourism Communities – Bridging the Gaps”, New Delhi, Viva Books.

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