Tourism ‘Vs.’ Ecotourism - People Perception in Upper Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India

Tourism is an important contributor to enrich the economic background of many countries. Tourism is a composition of activities, services and industries that deliver a travel experience, transportation, accommodation, eating and drinking, establishments, shops, entertainment, activity facilities and other hospitality services available for individuals or groups travelling away from home. Udhagamandalam alice Ooty is one of the mass tourism destination located in the district called Nilgiris, A Blue Mountains of the Western Ghats; it draws a large number of tourists every year. The study was indented to bring out the interest and preferences of tourists visiting Ooty, to examine the satisfaction of tourists with respect to visiting Ooty, to investigate the problems encountered by the tourists while visiting the hill station and to identify the factors influencing the tourists to visit again to this hill stations. The study was conducted where the places of interest of tourists inside Ooty municipal limit are: 1. Botanical Garden, 2. Boat House and 3. Rose Garden. Questionnaire was surveyed with the tourists of Tamil Nadu, neighbouring states and few foreign visitors. About 76 questionnaires were administered for analysis. SWOT analysis was made to know the status of tourism in Ooty. The questionnaire contains 38 simple questions and it was given to the visitors to get their opinion. Opinion was asked to the respondents that whether the tourism activities in Ooty can be conducted purely by ecotourism. About 95% of the people agreed that it can be converted with ecotourism which can help the local communities. Almost all the people expressed their satisfaction that the tourism and ecotourism activities being conducted in Ooty and surroundings are appreciable. They also opined that the place is very cool, clean and beautiful. Almost all of them generally opined that to keep the Ooty and its natural beauty as such for future generation. Ooty has already faced a huge setback from the point view of carrying capacity at the Botanical Garden, Rose Garden and Boat House. It is suggested that long term monitoring on nature based tourism or ecotourism in and around Ooty should be carried out to evaluate the merits and demerits.