Abstract:
Tourism is one of the biggest and fastest-growing sectors in the global economy and has
significant environmental, cultural, social, and economic effects, both positive and
negative. Yet, relatively few studies have addressed the effect of tourism on residents' lives
in Anuradhapura as a major touristic destination in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura ancient city
is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, well
known for its ruins depicting early Sri Lankan civilization. The main objective of this
study is to investigate whether the impact of tourism makes changes on residents’ lives in
the ancient city of Anuradhapura. The survey design was quantitative and based on an
empirical study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the
residents of Anuradhapura Ancient city area. A sample of 120 respondents was selected
to collect data from the residents. The data was analyzed using SPSS 21 statistical
software. Descriptive statistics and Inferential statistics were applied to examine the effect
of environmental and socio-cultural impacts caused by tourism on residents’ lives.
According to the research findings, environmental pollution, social problems, and
congestion & crowding out caused by tourism make significant environmental and sociocultural
changes on residents’ lives in Anuradhapura ancient city area. The results
showed that tourism creates significant environmental and socio-cultural changes in
residents’ lives in Anuradhapura's ancient city area. Further, this study provides elements
for long term benchmark monitoring and observation relating to the resources of the
tourism sector.
