POTENTIAL AND FACTORS AFFECTING ECOTOURISM IN SRI LANKA
S P Vidanage* and H B Kotagama**
*Central Environmental Authority; **University of Peradeniya
Tourism in Sri Lanka has a strong, still growing role in earning foreign exchange and creating new employment. However, if adequate safeguards are not taken, present mass tourism could give rise to serious problems of environmental degradation. The cost of servicing mass tourism is very high due to its heavy dependency on imported items. Further, the rich industrialized tourist generating countries have the control of hotel chains, international air lines, tour agencies etc. Thus it is questionable whether the real beneficiaries of this mass tourism are third world countries like Sri Lanka or the rich industrialized nations who dominate in the above mentioned services.
The main objective of this study was to identify the potential for developing nature tourism in Sri Lanka and factors affecting such tourism in Sri lanka. The field survey was conducted during the period of October 1994 to February 1995 using questionnaires prepared in English, French and German. Both non-parametric data presentation and regression analysis were employed in data analysis.
This study concludes that there is a significant potential for development of nature tourism in Sri Lanka. Nature tourism is proven to be less demanding in terms of accommodation standards and more demanding regarding information about the destination. Social conflicts can also be avoided when local people get involved in managing protected areas through nature tourism. It is concluded that nature tourism can be recommended for Sri Lanka on a pilot project basis and after evaluation; decisions on further development can be taken.
ECOTOURISM AND CONSERVATION OF NATURAL AREAS IN THE SOUTH EAST ZONE OF SRI LANKA
G Tantrigama
University of Sri Jayewardenapura
The areas dominated by natural vegetation, wildlife, or forest are called Natural areas. Ecotourism is undertaken in largely undisturbed natural areas with a view to study, admire, and enjoy the scenery and its wild plants and animals as well as any existing cultural manifestation. Tourism in the South East Dry Zone (SEDZ) has been development in an ad-hoc manner which has resulted in adverse impacts on specific attractive sites, natural vegetation and wildlife as well local communities.
The objective of this paper is to assess the potential for Ecotourism in the context of conservation and proper management of natural areas in the SEDZ. It is based on the work carried out as a part of a broader study on Natural Area Conservation in SEDZ under UNDP sponsorship for the Regional Development Division of the Ministry of Policy Planning and Implementation.
While promoting ecotourism in this region, tourism activities should be viewed as a means to generate revenues to enhance conservation efforts. In additional to a series of site specific and area specific proposals, the need for a regional tourism plan that recognizes natural areas in SEDZ as a system is stressed. In this regard, the coordinated effort of the Ceylon Tourist board, the department of Wildlife Conservation and the proposed Southern Area Development Authority is highlighted
ECOTOURISM & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN
SRI LANKA:RECOMMENDATION FOR A WORKING COVENANT
Eric D Wikramanayaka
WWF Consultant, Ratmalana
Despite the potential to capitalize on the expanding and popular ecotourist industry, Sri Lanka has failed to do so. Development of this low-impact, high-quality component of the tourist industry will, however, provide a good economic reason to advance the cause for conservation of Sri Lanka's wildlife and wildlands, and for maintaining the extensive protected areas system. The tourist industry and the conservation community should cooperate to develop a viable, innovative ecotourism program, complete with facilities and infrastructure, which is sustainable over the long-term. Such a cooperative effort can be fostered through an umbrella organization - 'an ecotourism society' - which can promote responsible tourism practices and provide a forum for dialogue between the tourist industry and the conservation community.