SOCIO - ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY: A case study of three selected tourist destinations in the Nagombo coastal belt

Abstract

Tourism in Sri Lanka, as a major source of income and employment has developed gradually since the late 1960s and has become a priority sector of the economy today. In spite of its positive effects, tourism has also some adverse social and cultural impacts. The present paper deals with such adverse social and economical impacts on the communities living in Negombo area of the Western coast, where tourism related activities are more intense. Case studies have been conducted in Palangatura, Eththukala and Kudapaduwa GN divisions of Negombo DS division and, field survey techniques such as structured interviews administrating questionnaires and field observations were conducted covering different segments of the society in the area. At the field survey there were three types of questionnaires administrated on different respondent that is Householders, Hotels and Shopkeepers. In each case the sample size was 30. The study revealed that some social and cultural changes have taken place subsequent to the adoption of tourist related activities by the traditional fishing communities. Both direct and indirect employment opportunities have been generated in the tourist sector, leading to multiplier effects in associated areas. The economy and lifestyle of the people have also undergone many parallel changes like child abuse and other illicit activities. The dropout rates of school children have also increased due to the harmful environmental impacts of commercialization. The findings of the study provide a sound basis for formulating favorable policies for developing tourism sector in the area.