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The Practice of Ecotourism in Sri Lanka

Author

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  • Ranjith Bandara

    (Ranjith Bandara, Department of Economics, University of Colombo, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka. Email: ranbandara@gmail.com)

Abstract

There has been little assessment of ecotourism operator compliance in Sri Lanka towards the ecotourism guidelines set by the International Ecotourism Society (IES). This study presents the results from a survey of a sample of 15 ecotourism/ecolodge operators chosen from seven selected locations in the four provinces of Sri Lanka. This study shows that there is lack of understanding about the true policies of ecotourism. The majority of operators in the sample seem to practice more of nature-based operations, whilst others have a combination of nature and adventure-based tourism, but not proper ecotourism. Moreover, there is no enthusiasm towards the practice of ecotourism in its true sense and the current situation of the country with a low number of tourists, too, contributes towards it. Some of the ecotourism practices were not evident as it was expensive to implement them, yet, the simpler cost effective practices, too, were not given much consideration. Thus, the overall findings of this study overwhelmingly suggest that the authorities of tourism industry and various other stakeholder groups and conservers should work hand in hand to develop innovative ecotourism programmes which will create a market for Sri Lanka as an ecotourist destination in the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Ranjith Bandara, 2009. "The Practice of Ecotourism in Sri Lanka," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 10(2), pages 471-492, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:soueco:v:10:y:2009:i:2:p:471-492
    DOI: 10.1177/139156140901000209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisa C. Chase & David R. Lee & William D. Schulze & Deborah J. Anderson, 1998. "Ecotourism Demand and Differential Pricing of National Park Access in Costa Rica," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 74(4), pages 466-482.
    2. Hadker, Nandini & Sharma, Sudhir & David, Ashish & Muraleedharan, T. R., 1997. "Willingness-to-pay for Borivli National Park: evidence from a Contingent Valuation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 105-122, May.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Olimpia Iuliana BAN, & Paul IACOBAÅž, & Alexandru Mircea NEDELEA, 2016. "Marketing Research Regarding Tourism Business Readiness For Eco-Label Achievement (Case Study: Natura 2000 Criåžul Repede Gorge-Pä‚Durea Craiului Pass Site, Romania)," EcoForum, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 5(1), pages 1-27, January.
    2. Thanne Mafaziya Nijamdeen & Jean Huge & Hajaniaina Ratsimbazafy & Kodikara Arachchilage Sunanda Kodikara & Farid Dahdouh-Guebas, 2022. "A social network analysis of mangrove management stakeholders in Sri Lanka's Northern Province," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/349602, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    3. Greg D. Simpson & Daminda P. Sumanapala & Nilakshi W.K. Galahitiyawe & David Newsome & Priyan Perera, 2020. "Exploring Motivation, Satisfaction and Revisit Intention of Ecolodge Visitors," Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, vol. 26(2), pages 359-379, December.
    4. Olimpia Iuliana BAN & Paul IACOBAÅž & Alexandru Mircea NEDELEA, 2015. "Marketing Research Regarding Tourism Business Readiness For Eco-Label Achievement. Case Study: Natura 2000 Criåžul Repede Gorge-Pä‚Durea Craiului Pass Site, Romania," Revista de turism - studii si cercetari in turism / Journal of tourism - studies and research in tourism, "Stefan cel Mare" University of Suceava, Romania, Faculty of Economics and Public Administration - Economy, Business Administration and Tourism Department., vol. 20(20), pages 1-3, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    JEL: Q55; Developing Countries; Ecotourism; Ecotourism Guidelines; Nature Conservation; Operator Compliance; Sri Lanka;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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