Attributes and issues of tourism development in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The paper presents interesting comparison between attributes and issues of Sri Lankan tourism as a development strategy using quantitative data and empirical evidences. Numerous previous studies have highlighted that Sri Lanka has many attributes and issues related to the tourism industry. At present, tourism industry in Sri Lanka is stimulated as a one of key instrument of economic development. However, there is no adequate linkage between attributes and issues regarding tourism development. This study explores the issue whether tourism development could contribute the economic development in Sri Lanka and how can tourism exploit its attributes against the potential issues. The main postulation of this study is several issues can be solved via tourism development strategies and attributes can be utilized to minimize the issues and develop the economy. The key objective of this study is to identify the main issues and attributes regarding Sri Lankan tourism. The paper reveals that lopsided tourism development has created additional issues on economy. Findings of this study alleged that tourism in Sri Lanka did not entirely exploit its attributes. Conversely, the lack of correlation between attributes and issues has affected towards pattern of income distribution, rural backwardness, seasonal variations, resources utilization, sectoral integration, lopsided development and job security. Therefore we suggest that strategic tourism development plan needs for sustainable tourism development in Sri Lanka.