Abstract:
ABSTRACT
The study will focus on the Kalpitiya area, Kalpitiya can be known as one of the
popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. According to 2016 annual statistical report
presented that both the number of foreign arrivals and total revenue comparatively
increased in Kalpitiya area. But when considering the visitors’ comments of the well known websites like trip advisor, Kalpitiya has been rated as a place where can get
beach tourism experience. Therefore, this study is mainly focused to Study potential
of developing Accessible tourism in Kalpitiya area and find the Challenges and
opportunities to develop Kalpitiya as an Accessible tourism destination. To
investigate that, the qualitative research approach was used. The primary data were
collected from tourism service providers such as Hoteliers and tour guides in
Kalpitiya area. Theoretical saturation for the study was reached after conducting ten
semi structured in-depth interviews from ten tourism service providers in the area.
According to the research findings, majority of tourism service providers believe that
in present there no any Accessible tourism related actives Furthermore, the researcher
identified that, mainly there are four challenges for developing Accessible tourism in
Kalpitiya area, As per the findings of the study, mainly there are three of challenges
for developing Accessible tourism in Kalpitiya area. In addition to that, SLTDA
recognized Kalpitiya Tourism Zone is regarded as the largest tourism development
project veiled in the Indian Ocean. Therefore the researcher hopes that, the findings of
this research might help them to make new plans and strategies for sustainable
tourism. Further, the researchers who indent to do research in the field of tourism
management this will be literature for them.
Key words: accessible tourism, disabilities, development, Challenges, opportunities
