Perception of the Tourist Regarding Pilgrimage Tour in Tamil Nadu

Perception of the Regarding Pilgrimage Tour in Tamil Nadu Dr. S. Jeyakumar Assistant Professor PG and Research Department of Commerce SRI S.R.N.M. College, Sattur - 626 203, Virudhunagar District- Tamil Nadu - India Dr S. Rajaram Research Supervisor Associate Professor - Department of MBA, Kalasalingam University, Krishnankovil Tamil Nadu INTRODUCTION Tourism has emerged as an instrument for employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustainable human development. Tourism promotes international understanding and gives support to local handicrafts and cultural activities. It is an important segment of the country's economy, especially in terms of its contribution towards foreign exchange earnings, generation of additional income and creation of employment opportunities. Tourism is the thirds largest foreign exchange earner for India. The Tourism sector of Indian economy is at present experiencing a huge growth. The Tourism sector of Indian economy has become one of the major service sectors under the Indian economy. PILGRIMAGE TOURISM Pilgrimage tourism is also termed as religious heritage tourism. It includes all the religions mentioned above; religious places associated with, emotional attachment to these centers and infrastructure facilities for the tourists. This can also be referred to as pilgrimage tourism, as clients are not looking for luxury but arduous journeys to meet the divine goal or simple life. The essence of pilgrimage tourism is inner feeling through worship. Religions come into existence for regulating human life; what are common to all of them are the principles of love. Thus through temple tourism there is a sincere effort to bring better understanding among various communities, nations and thus foster global unity. Hinduism is one of the oldest religions of India. Over 5000 years, religious history created wonderful temples and survived through ages all over India. Every year, millions of tourists, both domestic and international, visit these places. India is special to Hindu temples all over the world and India is the destination for pilgrimage because Buddhism emerged in India. Pilgrimage tourism is a great scope for Indian scenario. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study are as follows: 1. To know the purpose of visit of the tourists towards the pilgrimage tourism in Tamil Nadu. 2. To find out the opinion of the tourist regarding sources of information about the pilgrimage places in Tamil Nadu. 3. To analyse the opinion of tourists about this pilgrimage tourism promotes. 4. To find out the rating of pilgrimage tour by the tourist in Tamil Nadu SAMPLING DESIGN Tamil Nadu regions were selected for the study for three reasons. The first is that the Tamil Nadu is the land of temples in India. Secondly, tourism is an emerging sector in Tamil Nadu. Finally, the pilgrimage tourism is a wonderful future in Tamil Nadu region. For the purpose of this study, tenpilgrimage tourist place have selected, by adopting lottery method. For this study, convenient sampling method was used by the researcher for collecting primary data. The survey was conducted among domestic and foreign tourists. The sample tourists were selected from ten pilgrimage places in Tamil Nadu. www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 19

FIELD WORK For collecting data from the tourists, the researcher has interviewing them in the temples area. As there has 1100 tourists in the sampling temples area, it takes 60 days, for the researcher to complete the survey of the tourists in pilgrimage places in Tamil Nadu. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION The tourism industry is playing important role in national growth and development. Every country, every space, every location has its own identity. Specifically the pilgrimage place in Tamil Nadu state has its unique characteristic with historical values, national beauty, commercial importance and different cultural heritage, so this study has unique method of an inquiry and investigation. For this, total 1100 tourists were taken as respondents ( domestic tourists and foreign tourists) responses were evaluated by the researcher to know their perception. This survey consists of 1100 tourists, who were on visit of pilgrimage places in Tamil Nadu. They are visitors from all over the country as well as abroad also. The collected data s have been tabulated and presented as under. DISTRIBUTION OF PURPOSE OF VISIT OF THE TOURSTS This study also attempted to examine those dimensions towards that, main purposes of their visit have been ascertained first. Results are furnished in Table 1. TABLE 1 Purpose of Visit Sl. No Purpose of Visit No. of % No. of % 1. Religious/Pilgrimage 520 65 38 12.7 2. Business/Professional 27 3.37 - - 3. Educational Tour 66 8.25 15 5 4. Vacation, Leisure and Recreation 60 7.5 172 57.3 5. Social (visiting friends and relatives, 93 11.62 60 20 marriages etc.,) 6. Health / Medical / Wellness 7 0.88 8 2.7 7. Shopping 7 0.88 7 2.3 8. Other 20 2.50 - - Table 1 clearly portrays that many of the tourists go to different purposes as and when required. Out of domestic tourists, more than three fifth of the tourists have visited to Religious/Pilgrimage purpose of different cities, and nearly three fifth of the foreign tourists have visited for vacation. SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON TOUR PROGRAM Table 2 exhibits the various source of information about this tour program. TABLE 2 Source of Information on Tour Program Sl. Source No. of Percentage No. of Percentage No 1. Travel Agency 160 13.04 47 15.52 2. Newspaper /Magazines 87 7.09 20 6.90 3. Radio/TV 60 4.89 16 5.17 4. Internet 47 3.83 41 13.79 5. Travel Bouchers 66 5.38 16 5.17 6. Information Centre 7 0.57 15 5.17 7. Travel Guides 87 7.09 45 3.45 8. Family/Friends 400 32.60 46 15.52 www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 20

9. Personal Experience 206 16.79 47 15.52 10. Other 107 8.72 41 13.79 Total 1227 100 435 100 The Table 2 shows the source of information about the tour program. In case of domestic tourists out of 1227 tourists, 32.61 per cent of tourists get the information from their family/friends and followed by 16.85 per cent of tourists get their information on their personal experience and the less percentage is 0.54 per cent of tourists get information through Information Centre. Whereas in case of foreign tourists out of 174 tourists 15.52 per cent of tourists get the information from the travel agency and followed by 15.52 per cent of tourists get their information on their Personal Experience and through family/friends. and the less percentage is 3.45 per cent of tourists get information through the travel guides. DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTS ACCORDING TO SOURCE OF BOOKING TICKET Table 3 furnished the details about the mode of booking Tickets for both domestic and foreign. TABLE 3 Source of Booking Ticket Sl.No Booking Source No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. Travel Agency 233 29.13 98 32.7 2. Internet 40 5 75 25 3. Self 354 44.25 60 20 4. Other 173 21.62 67 22.3 As per Table 3, in case of domestic tourists majority of the tourists have made their travel bookings directly, and it was followed by the travel agents by 29.13 per cent. Role of Internet sources is just 5 per cent. In case of foreign tourists, travel agents are the main booking points for their travel related requirements with 32.7 per cent. The internet mode of booking tickets came at second position with 25 per cent. DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTS ACCORDING TO AVERAGE DURATION OF STAY IN A TRIP BY TOURISTS Table 4 furnished the details about the average duration of stay in a trip by tourists for both domestic and foreign. TABLE 4 Duration of Stay by s in the Present Trip Sl.No Duration of Stay No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. One Day 287 35.87 - - 2. Two Days 193 24.12 - - 3. Three Days 133 16.63 - - 4. Four Days 40 5 - - 5. Five Days 14 1.75 - - 6. One Week 73 9.13 23 7.7 7. More than One Week 60 7.5 67 22.3 8. One Month - - 135 45 9. More than One Month - - 75 25 www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 21

As can be seen, the above table 4 explains the duration of stay by the domestic tourists in the present trip. More than one third of tourists stay at one day, On the other, duration of stay of foreigners is comparatively longer with 45 per cent reportedly staying for one month. DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTS ACCORDING TO THEIR EXPENDITURE ON THE CURRENT TRIP It is interesting classification that the table 5 shows the expenditure of the tourists on their present trip. TABLE 5 Expenses on Tour of the Sl.No Expenses (Rs) No. of (%) Expenses ($) No. of (%) 1. Below Rs.2,000 307 (38.38) below 2000$ 23 (7.7) 2. Rs.2,001 to Rs.5,000 193 (24.13) 2001$ to 0$ 52 (17.3) 3. Rs.5,001 to Rs.10,000 160 (20) 1$ to 4000$ 45 (15) 4. Rs.10,001 to Rs.15,000 80 (10) 4001$ to 5000$ 60 (20) 5. Rs.15,001 to Rs.20,000 40 (5) 5000$ to 0$ 83 (27.7) 6. Above Rs.20,000 20 (2.5) 0$ to 10000$ 30 (10) Above 10000$ 7 (2.3) Total (100) (100) Nearly two fifth of domestic tourists fall in below Rs.2,000 expected budget for tour, which 24.13 per cent comes in between Rs.2,001 to Rs.5,000. More than one fourth of the foreign tourists consider expenses for travel between 5001$ to 0$. DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTS ACCORDING TO ACCOMPAYING GROUP Table 6 elucidates the details regarding the accompanying group. TABLE 6 Accompanying Group of the Accompanying Group No. of Percentage Percentage Sl.No No. of 1. No one 93 11.63 68 22.7 2. Partner/Spouse 107 13.37 142 47.3 3. Family Members/Relatives 407 50.87 8 2.7 4. Friends 146 18.25 53 17.7 5. Co-worker 27 3.38 22 7.3 6. Business Partner 13 1.63 7 2.3 7. Other 7 0.87 - - From the table 6, it is clear that in case of domestic tourists, it was found that majority of those are with family members/relatives are nearly 50.87 per cent. Whereas in the case of foreign tourists, 47.3 per cent of tourists have partner/spouse as a accompanying and it found that it was majority. www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 22

MODE OF TRANSPORT USED BY THEM WITHIN DESTINATION Table 7 elucidates the details regarding the Mode of Transport used by tourists within this pilgrimage places. TABLE 7 Choosing Mode of Transport within Destination Sl.No Transport Mode No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. Bus 240 30 20 6.67 2. Taxi 20 2.5 23 7.67 3. Train 66 8.25 - - 4. Auto 134 16.75 83 27.67 5. Van 74 9.25 9 3 6. Bike 34 4.25 7 2.33 7. Car 106 13.25 45 15 8. Other 126 15.75 113 37.66 Table 7 shows the mode of transport used to travel within destinations. In case domestic tourists, nearly one third of the tourists use bus to reach this pilgrimage places. In case of foreign tourists, more than one fourth of the tourists use auto to reach this pilgrimage places and 37.66 per cent of the tourists use other source of transport to reach this pilgrimage places. HAVE YOU VISITED THIS PILGRIMAGE PLACE EVER Table 8 shows the classification of tourists according to their visit to this pilgrimage places. TABLE 8 Already Visit this Pilgrimage Place Sl.No Already Visit No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. Yes 567 70.88 158 52.7 2. No 233 29.12 142 47.3 Table 8 shows that the result of tourists has ever visited this pilgrimage places. In case of domestic tourists out of, 567 (70.88 per cent) tourists have already visited this pilgrimage places. In the case of foreign tourists out of, 158 (52.7 per cent) tourists have already visited this pilgrimage. NUMBER OF TRIP MADE TO THIS PILGRIMAGE Table 9 elucidates the classification of tourists according to their trip for both domestic and foreign tourists. TABLE 9 Number of Trip of the Sl.No No. of Visit No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. 1 time 153 26.98 90.29 57.15 2. 2 times 87 15.34 22.57 14.28 3. 3 times 100 17.64 7.52 4.76 4. 4 times 80 14.11 15.05 9.53 5. 4 times More 147 25.93 22.57 14.28 Total 567 100 158 100 www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 23

As can be seen, the above table 9 explains the number of visit made by the domestic tourists to this pilgrimage places. 26.98 per cent of tourists have visited this pilgrimage places one time, and 25.93 per cent of tourists have visited this pilgrimage places more than four time. The majority of the foreign tourists have visited this pilgrimage places one time. DISTRIBUTION OF TOURISTS ACCORDING TO WITH WHOM THE TOURISTS LIKE TO VISIT Table 10 shows the classification of tourists according to with whom the tourists like to visit. TABLE 10 Like to Visit with Accompanying Sl.No Relation No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. Family 453 56.63 98 32.7 2. Friends 153 19.13 52 17.3 3. Relatives 127 15.87 30 10 4. Individuals 53 6.63 82 27.3 5. Co-Workers 14 1.74 15 5 6. Business Partner - - 8 2.7 7. Other - - 15 5 From the table 10, it is clear that in case of domestic tourists nearly three fifth of tourists like to visit this pilgrimage places with their family. In the case of foreign tourists, nearly one third of the tourists like to visit this pilgrimage places with their family and one fourth of tourists like to visit this pilgrimage places individually. MOTIVATION TO VISIT THIS PILGRIMAGE PLACE Table 11 shows the classification of tourists according to their motivation to visit this pilgrimage places. TABLE 11 Motivation to Visit this Pilgrimage Places Sl.No Motivation No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. Own Interest 360 45 195 65 2. Friends/Relatives 140 17.5 53 17.7 3. Family Members 133 16.63 7 2.3 4. Religious Aspect 40 5 - - 5. Faith & Confidence 47 5.87 - - 6. Travel Agents 40 5 38 12.7 7. Guide 20 2.5 - - 8. Advertisement - - - - 9. Other 20 2.5 7 2.3 As can be seen, the above table 11 explains the motivation to visit this pilgrimage places by the tourists. Majority of the domestic tourists have visited this pilgrimage places by their own interest and foreign tourists have visited this pilgrimage places by their own interest. www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 24

SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PILGRIMAGE Table 12 shows the source of information about this pilgrimage place. TABLE 12 Source of Information about this Pilgrimage Places Sl. Sources of Information No. of Percentage No.of Percentage No 1. Already Visited 333 25.6 60 14.02 2. Travel Agency 140 10.7 97 22.66 3. Media (Newspaper 133 10.2 97 22.67 /Magazines/Radio/ TV/Internet) 4. Travel Bouchers 80 6.2 15 3.50 5. Information 27 2.1 23 5.37 Centre 6. Travel Guides 100 7.7 23 5.38 7. Friends/Relatives 393 30.3 68 15.88 8. Other 94 7.2 45 10.52 Total 1 100 428 100 The Table 12 shows the source of information about this pilgrimage places. In case of tourists nearly one third of tourists get the information from their family/friends and followed by one fourth of tourists get the information on their Own Experience i.e. already visited and the less percentage of 2.1 per cent of tourists get information through the Information Centre. Whereas in case of foreign tourists out of 40 tourists 22.66 per cent of tourists get the information from the travel agency and followed by 22.67 per cent of tourists get the information through Media (like Newspaper / Magazines, Radio/TV, Internet). ATTRACTION OF THIS PILGRIMAGE PLACES Table 13 shows as a pilgrim, the domestic tourist like and attraction of this pilgrimage places. TABLE 13 Attraction of this Pilgrimage Place of s Sl.No Factors Total Mean Standard Co-efficient of Rank Rank ( X ) deviation Variance 1. Art & Architecture 2560 5.33 1.86 0.3483 VI 2. Fairs & Festival in 2460 5.13 1.53 0.2977 V Pilgrimage 3. Culture & Heritage 1516 3.16 1.57 0.4993 III 4. Relaxation 2340 4.88 2.44 0.5007 IV 5. Faith & Beliefs of God 1340 2.79 1.56 0.5589 II 6. Religious Aspect 1308 2.73 2.07 0.7626 I 7. Historical Place 2656 5.53 1.89 0.3418 VII 8. Tourism Place 3104 6.47 1.91 0.2966 VIII Note: Based on the Mean ( X ) value rank were given. The lowest value in the Mean ( X ) is given the 1 st Rank and follow. From the above table 13, we have concluded that the Religious aspect in the pilgrimage places mostly attracted the domestic tourist, they given I st rank to it and it was followed by Faith & Beliefs of god. www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 25

Table 14 shows the attraction of this pilgrimage places towards the foreign tourists. TABLE 14 Attraction of this Pilgrimage Place of Sl.No Factors Total Mean Standard Co-efficient of Rank Rank ( X ) deviation Variance 1. Art & Architecture 420 3.50 1.83 0.52 II 2. Fairs & Festival in 396 3.3 1.74 0.53 I Pilgrimage 3. Culture & Heritage 573 4.78 2.35 0.49 VI 4. Relaxation 423 3.53 2.27 0.65 III 5. Faith & Beliefs of God 660 5.5 2.25 0.41 VII 6. Religious Aspect 768 6.4 1.79 0.28 VIII 7. Historical Place 525 4.38 1.99 0.46 IV 8. Tourism Place 555 4.63 2.33 0.50 V Note: Based on the Mean ( X ) value rank were given. The lowest value in the Mean ( X ) is given the 1 st Rank and follow. From the above table 14, we have concluded that the Fairs and Festivals celebrate in the pilgrimage places mostly attracted the foreign tourist, they given I st rank to it and it was followed by Art and Architecture. OPINION ABOUT PILGRIMAGE TOURISM PROMOTES Table 15 Shows the classification of tourists according to their opinion about this pilgrimage tourism promotes. TABLE 15 Opinion about Pilgrimage Tourism Promotes Sl. No Attributes Yes No Total Yes No Total 1. Culture and Civilization 720 (90%) 80 (10%) 285 (95%) 15 (5%) 2. International peace 400 (50%) 400 (50%) 100%) 150 (50%) 150 (50%) 3. National Integration 420 (52.5%) 380 (47.5%) 180 (60%) 120 (40%) 4. Fairs and Festivals 693 (86.63%) 107 (13.37%) 270 (90%) 30 (10%) 5. Art and 673 127 270 30 Architecture 6. Faith and Religious Confidence (84.13%) 760 (95%) (15.87%) 40 (5%) (90%) 263 (87.67%) (10%) 37 (12.33%) 7. Tourism Opportunity 354 (44.25%) 446 (55.75%) 143 (47.67%) 157 (52.33%) 8. Economy of the Nation 740 (92.5%) 60 (7.5%) 285 (95%) 15 (5%) Note: Figures in brackets indicates percentage to total. In case of domestic tourists, more than four-fifths of the tourist gives their opinion that the pilgrimage tourism promotes the Cultural & Civilization (90 %), Fairs & Festival (86.63 %), Art & Architecture (84.13 %), Faith & Religious confident (95 %) and Economy of the Nation (92.50 %). Two-fourths (50 %) of the tourist say that the pilgrimage tourism promotes International peace and www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 26

more than two-fourths (52.5 %) of the tourist say that the pilgrimage tourism promotes National Integration. More than two-fifths (44.25 %) of the tourist say that the pilgrimage tourism promotes Tourism Opportunity. Whereas in the case of foreign tourists, more than four-fifths of the tourist gives their opinion that the pilgrimage tourism promotes the Cultural & Civilization (95 %), Fairs & Festival (90 %), Art & Architecture (90 %), Faith & Religious confident (87.67 %) and Economy of the Nation (95 %). Two-fourths (50.0 %) of the tourist say that the pilgrimage tourism promotes International peace and two-fifths (60 %) of the tourist say that the pilgrimage tourism promotes National Integration. Nearly two-fourths (47.67 %) of the tourist say that the pilgrimage tourism promotes Tourism Opportunity. RATING OF THIS PILGRIMAGE TOUR Table 16 shows the classification of tourists according to their rating of the pilgrimage tour. TABLE 16 Rating of this Pilgrimage Tour Sl.No Rating No. of Percentage No. of Percentage s s 1. Excellent 427 53.37 150 50 2. Good 253 31.63 75 25 3. Average 107 13.37 68 22.7 4. Poor 13 1.63 7 2.3 From the table 16, it is clear that, more than 50per cent of the domestic tourists 427 (53.37per cent) rate the pilgrimage tourism as excellent. 253 (31.63per cent) of tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as good, 107 (13.37per cent) of tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as average and remaining 13 (1.63per cent) of tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as poor. Whereas in the case of foreign tourists, 150 (50per cent) of the tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as excellent. 75 (25per cent) of the tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as good and 68 (22.7per cent) of the tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as average. Remaining 7 (2.3per cent) of the tourists rate pilgrimage tourism as poor. FULFILL ALL THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE TOURIST Table 17 shows the fulfillment of all the expectation of the tourists about pilgrimage tourism. TABLE 17 Fulfill all Expectation of the Sl.No Opinion No. of Percentage No. of Percentage s s 1. Yes 713 89.13 255 85 2. No 87 10.87 45 15 Table 17 exhibits the classification of tourists according to the fulfillment of all their expectation. In case of domestic tourists 713 (89.13per cent) tourists expectation were fulfilled in this pilgrimage. Remaining 87 (10.87per cent) tourist expectations were fulfilled in this pilgrimage. In the case of foreign tourists according to the fulfillment of all their expectation. In case of foreign tourists 255 (85per cent) tourists expectation were fulfilled in this pilgrimage. Remaining 45 (15per cent) tourist expectations were fulfilled in this pilgrimage. RECOMMEND OF THIS PILGRIMAGE TOUR TO OTHER Table 18 shows classification of tourists according to the recommend of this pilgrimage tour to other. www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 27

TABLE 18 Recommend of this pilgrimage Tour to Other Sl.No Recommend No. of Percentage No. of Percentage s s 1. Yes 780 97.5 285 95 2. No 20 2.5 15 5 Table 18 exhibits the classification of tourists according to the recommend to other. In case of domestic tourists, 780 (97.5per cent) of tourists will recommend this pilgrimage tour to others and remaining 20 (2.5per cent) of tourists will not recommend this pilgrimage tour to others. Whereas in the case of foreign tourists, 285 (95per cent) of tourists will recommend this pilgrimage tour to others and remaining 15 (5per cent) of tourists not will recommend this pilgrimage tour to others. OPINION OF TOURIST ABOUT COME AGAIN TO THIS PILGRIMAGE PLACE Table 19 shows the opinion from the tourist regarding come again to this pilgrimage places in the future. TABLE 19 Opinion of about Come Again to this Pilgrimage Places Sl.No Come Again No. of Percentage No. of Percentage 1. Yes 793 99.13 100 2. No 7 0.87 - - Table 19 exhibits the opinion of tourist about come again to this pilgrimage places. In case of domestic tourists, 793 (99.13per cent) of tourists will come again to this pilgrimage and remaining 7 (0.87per cent) of tourists will not come again to this pilgrimage places. Whereas in the case of foreign tourists, (100per cent) tourists will come again to this pilgrimage places. CONCLUSION This study examines the perception of the tourist regarding pilgrimage tour. For the purpose of this study, domestic () and () sample tourist were selected from the pilgrimage places based on conveniently. A majority of the domestic tourist s purpose of visit is religious /pilgrimage aspect and own interest is an important motivation to visit this pilgrimage places. Religious aspect is more attract of the tourist on pilgrimages and majority of the tourist give their opinion about rating of pilgrimage tour is excellent and fulfill all the expectation of the domestic tourist. More than 95 % domestic tourists recommend this pilgrimage tour to others and come again in the future. A majority of the foreign tourist purpose of visit is vacation, leisure and recreation and owns interest is an important motivation to visit this pilgrimage places. Fair and festivals in pilgrimages is more attract of the tourist on pilgrimages and rating of this pilgrimage tour is excellent and fulfills the expectation of the foreign tourist. The entire foreign tourists recommend this pilgrimage tour to others and come again in the future. REFERENCES 1. Mishra, R., Pilgrimage Tpurism A Case Study of Brajmandal, (Doctoral thesis) Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 2000. www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJSSM: Volume: 05, Number: 10, February 2016 Page 28

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