ON-BOARD FACILITIES AND TOURISTS’ SATISFACTION LEVEL OF THE NILGIRIS MOUNTAIN RAILWAY”

Abstract

            The Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) also known as the “Toy train” is a historic metre-gauge railway in Tamil Nadu, India, constructed by the British in 1908 and recognised as a UNESCO World heritage site. This study aims to evaluate tourist satisfaction levels and identify on-board facilities provided by the NMR. The railway features including cogwheel toothed mechanism engages to ascend steep gradients effectively. A chi-square test revealed a significant association between gender and satisfaction levels, with female tourists reporting higher satisfaction than males. A total of 106 tourists were selected as the sample size for the present study. Questionnaire based and schedule-based interviews were conducted with tourists to collect primary data. The study highlights various on-board facilities, including electric fittings and cleanliness, which received mixed reviews from passengers. Overall, while the NMR offers a scenic and nostalgic travel experience, there are areas for improvement to elevating tourist satisfaction further.