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Tourism in Tamilnadu: Role of Cultural/Heritage Sites in Tourist Satisfaction and Tourism Development
Authors: Dr. E. Iniyan
Number of views: 677
Cultural/heritage tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry and hence there is a trend towards an increased specialization among tourists. The attraction over the adventure, culture, history and archaeological monuments etc. marks the increase of tourist in any region. Especially the interest of tourist from international destination and from India too, in traveling to cultural/ heritage destinations has increased recently and is expected to continue. For example, cultural/heritage sites are among the mostly preferred tourist attraction in Tamilnadu. The study on the Cultural/Heritage tourism leads to the result on the relationship between the cultural/heritage destination and the overall satisfaction of tourists. The difference in relation to tourist demographic characteristics like gender, age, education level, total income, travel behavior of tourists such as past experience, time taken to choose a destination, length of stay, distance of travel also should be considered in this aspect. The main objective of promoting tourism was to enhance economic activities, employment generation and community development. More facilities at spots will bring more revenue, more development and ultimately more rural employment and community development. Tourists will get an opportunity to interact with local people, understand their tradition, culture and lifestyle. They will participate in rural festivals, ride bullock cart, know about apiculture and farming, row boats, travel on coracles and buy their handicrafts. Such activities will ensure survival of art forms. Protection of sustainable use of bio diversity, sharing socio-economic benefits with local communities, minimizing impact of tourism development on ecology should be ensured. Eco-tourism needed area specific policies, strategies and strict enforcement of rules for sustainability.