IS SRI LANKA HEADING TOWARDS OVER-TOURISM? A COMPARATIVE STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS WITH INDONESIA, THAILAND, AND VIETNAM

Abstract

This research assesses whether Sri Lanka is heading towards overtourism through a comparative stakeholder analysis with three impacted Asian hotspots: Bali, Indonesia; Phuket, Thailand; and Ha Long Bay, Vietnam. It aims to understand the impact of various policy frameworks, stakeholder actions, and the perceptions of the local populace on the progression and potential stagnation of tourism in these areas. A qualitative approach was executed, consisting of in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 180 respondents, including officials, businesspersons, residents, and visitors, in all four locations. Thematic and framework analyses identified five contextually relevant, yet collectively shared, predominant concerns: governance fragmentation, socio-inequality, environmental mismanagement, cultural colonialism, and economic instability. Regardless, differing levels of regulatory responsiveness and community involvement suggest differing outlooks. While Thailand and Vietnam demonstrate some policy-responsive changes along with digital visitor management, Sri Lanka is most at risk due to policy fragmentation and the absence of responsive governance and proactive planning. The most important conclusion the research presents is the need for Sri Lanka to integrate sustainable tourism practices through restructuring zones, community involvement, and digital initiatives. Most notably, this research enriches the literature on tourism in the post-pandemic context by illustrating how shared vulnerabilities within a region can shape distinct development trajectories. Further studies should focus on exploring secondary tourism destinations from a geographical perspective, as well as applying mixed methods for longitudinal studies. A closer look into tourist behaviour and emerging market trends would add value in understanding the nature of overtourism and its evolution in Asia.