Tourism And Economic Growth Of Sri Lanka Tourism Essay Example

by improving roads, hotels, urban areas, aviation and seaports.

International tourism involves various services and requirements. Tourists desire unique and enjoyable experiences while also hoping to avoid legal complications or restrictions at their chosen destinations. However, the tourism industry can present challenges for host nations, including the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, illegal drugs, and societal problems. To ensure comprehensive economic development, Sri Lanka needs to prioritize its future in tourism.

Purpose

The main objective of this paper is to examine the growth and economic impact of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka.

Importance as a Tourist Destination

To attract tourists seeking different experiences from their own surroundings, tourist destinations must offer a variety of attractions. With its natural beauty, scenic landscapes, tropical climate, and historical sites, Sri Lanka appeals to visitors from around the globe. Furthermore, due to its small size, travelers can encounter diverse climates within just a few hours of travel time. These factors not only enhance the value of tours but also contribute to the development of tourism and national economic growth.

Sri Lanka's Natural Values

Sri Lanka is a tropical island located in South Asia, southwest of the Indian peninsula in the Indian Ocean. The island can be divided into three levels based on its geography and topography: the first level, which is the largest, stretches from sea level to 270m above mean sea level; the second level, known as the Uplands, ranges from 270m to 900m above mean sea level; and lastly, the third level called Highlands spans from 900m to 2420m. These different elevations contribute to the country's captivating beauty and varied climates that attract tourists during their visits.

The island is

divided into four climatic zones based on rainfall. The Dry zone occupies less than 60% of the land and receives an annual rainfall between 1250-1900 millimeters with an average temperature ranging from 27 to 30 degrees Celsius. This zone is characterized by monsoon woods and thorn scrublands. On the other hand, the Wet zone covers about 23% of the land and receives a rainfall of 2500-5000 millimeters per year.

Within this region, there are various types of forests including lowland evergreen forests, montane rainforests, and semi-evergreen rainforests. The point where these two zones intersect is referred to as the Intermediate zone and receives an annual rainfall between 1900-2500 millimeters. Additionally, there are two semi-arid zones in the Southeast and Northwest that receive less than 1250 millimeters of rainfall annually. These climatic disparities contribute to a wide array of environmental variations throughout the area. Consequently, visitors have the opportunity to encounter diverse natural environments with a significant level of biodiversity.

Sri Lanka's land is a significant natural resource for tourism. Despite being small, it has various forest types due to its diverse climate, topography, and soil properties. These forests are home to many plants and animals, making Sri Lanka one of Asia's top biodiversity hotspots. Visitors can experience these environments by visiting sanctuaries, wildlife parks, and forest reservoir areas with proper permissions.

This bantam island offers a large experience for tourers, as they can enjoy a variety of natural experiences. The state has fifteen recognized floristic parts, each with its own diverse habitats. These habitats support a wide range of natural flora, including Tropical moisture evergreen woods, Tropical moist half-evergreen woods, Tropical dry assorted evergreen woods, Tropical irritant woods,

Savannahs, Riverine forests, Tropical lower Montana woods, Tropical Montana or cloud woods, grasslands, Dry Montana grasslands, Lowland grasslands, Wet villu grasslands, inland wetlands, and coastal and marine habitats. These natural values make the state a precious natural hoarded wealth known throughout the world.

Heritage VALUES

Sri Lanka is a rich state with heritage values that span over 2500 years of modern history and millions of years of prehistoric epoch. Most cultural and heritage values in the state have developed under the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism. The country is home to a large number of heritage sites and ancient buildings, including statues of Lord Buddha, tope, armored combat vehicles, other statues, wall pictures, cave pictures, rock carvings, and religious sites.

When visiting Sri Lanka, tourists have the opportunity to explore its rich heritage sites through a variety of tours. These tours allow visitors to discover ancient cities like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Sigiriya, and Kandy. Additionally, Sri Lanka also showcases colonial-era buildings and architecture in different locations. Travelers can also immerse themselves in the life and traditions of indigenous groups by visiting Dambana areas.

Furthermore, there are significant religious sites open for visitation based on tourists' interests. These include Sri Pada or Adams peak, Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, and the Temple of the Tooth relic.

Cultural and Traditional Values

Sri Lanka is a multicultural country that houses various renowned religious groups from around the world.

Hence, tourists can gain insights into the cultural and traditional differences of these communities through their experiences. They can also easily have experiences with Sri Lankan customary dishes such as rice and curry, hoppers, milk rice, roti, threading hoppers, pittu, and kottu. These experiences are made

convenient by the availability of a wide range of local cuisine in most eating houses, hotels, and smaller hotels. Additionally, tourists can expand their culinary horizons by purchasing various other dishes from tourist eating houses and hotels based on their interests.

Sri Lankans celebrate various spiritual and cultural festivals throughout the year, so tourists can experience these seasonal celebrations such as Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Wesak, Posson and Esala festival, Christmas and New Year celebrations during their visit to Sri Lanka. They can also witness Esala procession and other processions without any cost, which adds to their experience.

OTHER Entertainments

Visiting Sri Lanka offers tourists a range of entertainment options. They can enjoy their vacations with activities like beach parties, club parties, music, sunny weather, swimming in the sea, and Ayurvedic treatments. Additionally, they can explore the opportunity to see giants, corals, diving events, boat trips, elephant orphanage, and zoological and botanical gardens.

Tourists can explore local shops and purchase a variety of attractive items such as treasures, handcrafted goods, clothing, duty-free items, as well as fresh fruits, meats, fish, instant food, and packaged goods found in local markets.

The Influence of Tourist Development Programs on Economic Growth

Despite facing a crisis period, the tourism industry continues to expand. Since the 2009 crisis, the country has successfully attracted a large number of tourists. Consequently, the tourism sector has witnessed a revival in terms of generating income and developing infrastructure. The growth of this industry contributes to overall economic advancement and serves as significant means for earning foreign currency for the nation.
Earn Foreign Money.

The tourism sector plays a vital role in bringing foreign currency into the country, serving as a significant

source of income. Revenue is generated through providing tourist services and selling goods to guests. Sri Lanka earned over 213 million US dollars from direct tourist sector services in 2001, which increased to 350 million US dollars in 2009, 575 million US dollars in 2010, and 645 million US dollars in 2011. Furthermore, local businesses and tourist facilities have also developed post-war. Many hotels and restaurants closed or experienced declines in income over the past two decades.

The tourism industry in Sri Lanka experienced significant growth between 2001 and 2010. In 2001, there were 414 accommodations and 13,626 room facilities. However, by 2010, these numbers had increased to 783 accommodations and 14,714 suites. This expansion has played a crucial role in stimulating the country's economy through the provision of essential services such as food, spa facilities, and other necessary amenities for tourists. Moreover, it has also attracted foreign direct investments and contributed to the development of several sectors in recent years.

In 2008, the Sri Lankan economy saw a positive turnaround after a period of decline. By 2010, foreign direct investments (FDIs) increased, with about 59% going towards infrastructure development projects and approximately 30.9% being attracted to the manufacturing sector. The service sector, including tourism, received 8.6% of the FDIs, with specific allocations of 2.7% for tourism and 1.3% for agriculture.

China's significant investments in Sri Lanka's tourism industry played a crucial role in this growth. As a result, Sri Lanka anticipates receiving $1.5 billion in foreign direct investment through its first tourist city project.

This boost in tourism has created employment opportunities across various sectors such as hotels, spas, bars, guides, transportation, and related services.

In 2001, the number

of individuals employed in the tourism industry was 80,904. By 2011, this figure had risen to 134,250.

Current State of Tourism Development

Following a peaceful period of twenty years, the tourism industry has experienced a resurgence. Many countries have lifted their restrictions for their citizens to visit Sri Lanka and consider it an ideal tourist destination. Our security measures and tourist services have gained recognition from various tourist sector magazines and websites. As a result, Sri Lanka received 654,476 tourists in 2010 and this number increased to 855,975 arrivals in 2011, reflecting a growth rate of 30.8 percent compared to the previous year.

In January 2012, approximately 85,874 tourists visited Sri Lanka and this continued until April of that year. Many European visitors selected Sri Lanka for their seasonal holidays after a long time. A significant number of these tourists were very pleased with our hospitality, accommodations, prices, and progress in the tourism industry. In 2012, Sri Lanka earned a total revenue of 830.3 million US dollars from tourism and has set a target to attract one million tourist arrivals this year.

Approximately 78.9% of tourists visit Sri Lanka for vacation, primarily middle-income earners, resulting in reduced spending on other purposes. About 12.7% come for business needs, while 5.4% come to meet relatives and friends. The main motivation for tourists is to explore attractions and participate in affordable leisure activities, with a particular interest in our luxurious Ayurvedic treatments and spa services.

Government Effort

The Sri Lankan government recognizes the significance of developing the tourism sector and has prioritized establishing the country as an appealing destination.

The authorities have implemented a programme that offers various facilities to tourists, entrepreneurs in the tourist

sector, and employees. The government has shown significant support for this programme as it can generate substantial income for the country.

Efforts have been made by the government to attract major players in the hotel industry to the country through large-scale development programmes. Additionally, new tourist destinations like Nilaweli, Arugam bay, and Mirissa have been introduced, while previously closed sanctuaries such as Kumana have reopened for tourists.

Diplomatic relationships were utilized for an international promotion campaign called 'Visit Sri Lanka' aimed at promoting Sri Lanka.

In addition to these initiatives, urban development programmes have been initiated by the government with the goal of improving tourism by constructing major cities across the country. These projects focus on enhancing infrastructure facilities, providing necessary information to tourists, developing accommodations and leisure areas, as well as preserving important landmarks in each region.

Operating under the Ministry of Tourism's authority, both the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority have played pivotal roles in advancing tourism within the country.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) was established under Section 2 of the Tourism Act to support the development of tourism in Sri Lanka. The Ministry of Tourism has implemented various programs to safeguard the tourism industry and preserve the nation's values. These initiatives include:

- Registration of all tourist sector services under the Tourist Board, along with implementing regulations and standardized methods to enhance the quality of accommodations, restaurants, transportation, and tourist guide facilities across the country.

- Managing and organizing tourism development programs with the assistance of the Ministry of Cultural and Heritage.

- Implementing a ban on illegal drugs, prostitution, and certain intoxicants within the tourism industry's environment. The Sri Lanka

Police play an essential role in providing service and support for this initiative, with a dedicated unit established to handle tourism-related cases.

- The Tourist Board and Municipal Councils operate Tourist Information Centers in major cities throughout the island.

Sri Lanka aims to boost its tourism industry as a significant contributor to its economy. As a result, the country targets attracting 2.5 million tourists in 2016 and utilizing this influx to further develop the nation's economy. Extensive infrastructure development projects have also been undertaken to enhance the tourism sector. Today, the road network has been upgraded to international standards, while local airlines have also commenced providing quality services to tourists.The tourism industry in Sri Lanka is currently experiencing rapid growth, with excellent service provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force and civil air power authorization. However, there are challenges and threats that need to be addressed for the future of tourism.

The tourism sector has faced challenges with the increasing number of tourists visiting the country. While many accommodations and tourist-approved restaurants have been improved, they are insufficient to meet the demand. To reach our economic development goals, expedited programs are necessary in this sector. New tourist destinations require additional accommodations, sanitations, and restaurant facilities.

The lack of adjustments and eating house installations in the northern part of Sri Lanka and the ongoing construction of new buildings make these areas unattractive to foreigners. While Sri Lanka is a coastal nation with beautiful beaches, the current state of our lifesaver services does not ensure adequate security for tourists. Similarly, although Sri Lanka has stunning inland water reservoirs, the absence of trained individuals prevents their utilization. Prostitution and drug use

are significant problems in Sri Lanka, and some tourists may seek sexual pleasure during their visit, which is discreetly arranged within the local environment.

The prevalence of gay sexual engagement is higher than that of female harlotries due to the ease and legality of this practice. Currently, there are over 40,000 prostitutes and approximately 150,000 members engaged in secret prostitution. Many countries have a thriving tourism industry and offer special facilities for foreign visitors. Competing in this region are Thailand, Maldives, Singapore, Vietnam, and India, which provide prostitution services to tourists at relatively low costs. However, Sri Lanka faces significant challenges in this area due to its legal enforcement, societal norms, religious beliefs, and healthcare system that prohibit prostitution. The widespread transmission of HIV through prostitution further complicates this issue, making it a major hurdle for Sri Lanka's environment.

Sexually transmitted diseases and chance are widely spread in tourist destinations and will also spread to new tourist destinations. A large number of individuals involved in this industry, such as Tourist guides or transportation agents, are not professionally qualified, resulting in negative consequences for Sri Lanka. This industry requires professionals in various fields such as multilingual speakers, professional chefs, servers, tourist guides, and musicians, in order to develop tourism in Sri Lanka.

We can earn additional income through our cultural events and Ayurvedic interventions, but the problem is that professionals in these sectors are scarce in modern society.

Summary

Sri Lanka is a popular tourist destination for Europeans since the 12th century. The tourism industry in this country has been developed based on three main factors: Sri Lanka's authenticity as a tourist destination, its compact

size of 65610km and its wide range of biodiversity and heritage compared to other countries. Additionally, Sri Lanka's strategic location on international naval trade routes can be utilized to further develop the tourism industry.

Sri Lanka's people, civilization, spices, nutrients, treasures, handicrafts, festival characteristics, spiritual environments, and escapade events are all contributing factors in the growth of the tourism sector. As a key maritime nation, Sri Lanka aims to become an economically developed country. Thus, finding suitable sources of income is crucial, and the tourism industry plays a significant role in achieving that goal. Given tourists' high interest in visiting this island, it becomes imperative to provide essential facilities and effective packages to enhance the tourism industry. In recent years, the conflict environment negatively impacted the tourism industry, leading to a decline in the country's economic development. While the agricultural sector has sustained Sri Lanka throughout its history, stronger economic strategies are now necessary for further growth.

Thus, it is necessary for Sri Lanka to enhance the development of the tourism sector through appropriate government interventions. In 2011, more than 800,000 tourists visited the country, and this trend continued in the first quarter of 2012. Sri Lanka generated $830.3 million in revenue from tourism in 2011, and the government aims to increase tourist visits to 1 million in 2012. Given the existing infrastructure, we can achieve this target, but we now require accelerated programs to improve the infrastructure of the tourism industry in the next two or three years.

Recommendations

The government should intervene to address issues in the tourism sector, especially in Sri Lanka where there is a need for a large number

of professionals in various fields. Therefore, the government should implement training and development programs or a standardization method to classify tourism sector employees at a standard level. The Tourist Board can implement training programs for tourist guides who currently work as beach boys or guides. This program should include an enrollment system and the requirement to issue a standard identity card for them. This process helps increase job opportunities for talented individuals and is effective in enhancing the country's economy.

Sri Lanka is expecting to gain foreign currencies through tourism, so it is necessary to standardize the pricing and service quality in the tourism sector. This will ensure that tourists receive effective service during their visits.

• A suitable pricing strategy can be implemented for accommodations, with specific price ranges for each hotel category.
• Proper local taxi services and tourist transportation procedures can be introduced to improve the country's transportation facilities for tourists.
• Ayurvedic spa services and medical facilities should be categorized and organized appropriately.

In order to enhance tourism in the next few years, Sri Lanka needs 40,000 to 50,000 additional accommodation facilities. Therefore, the government should provide additional infrastructure to attract new local and foreign investments to this sector.

Harbor and airport development programs directly contribute to improving our economy, but we can generate additional foreign revenue by developing the tourism industry. Many international sailors and aviation industry professionals require accommodation facilities during their travels, so we can create a new tourism environment specifically for these individuals. Sri Lanka must enforce new laws to advance

the tourism industry since most tourists visit the country for leisure or to participate in various entertainment events. Under new regulations, we should be required to offer essential services such as gambling and alcoholic beverages to tourists.

Sri Lanka's beautiful natural environment can be effectively promoted through the development of eco tourism. Many tourists are interested in enjoying leisure activities in natural surroundings. The incorporation of Ayurvedic medical treatments and therapies is crucial in enhancing tourist attraction. Hence, it is essential to establish a proper framework for offering the appropriate Ayurvedic interventions to tourists.