Browsing by Author "Nawarathne, A.M.D.B."

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    Adoption of IT Practices with Suppliers and its Impact on Operational Performance: E-Business Perspective (With Special Reference to Travel Agencies in Colombo District)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Fernando, W.A.C.; Fasana, S.F.; Nawarathne, A.M.D.B.
    Across the industries, firms have adopted e-business initiatives to better manage their internal business processes as well as their interfaces with the environment. Development of the technology changed the travel and tourism industry and tourists are moving towards online methods. This creates a competitive environment to the traditional travel agencies. It is important for travel agencies to maintaining a better relationship with suppliers to deliver a quality service to the customers. Hence, the main purpose of this study is to examine and test a moderating effect of supplier relationship quality which integrates the Information Technology (IT) with suppliers (i.e. e-procurement and e-communication) and operational performance in the SME travel agency. Primary data was collected from a sample of 72 SME travel agencies in Colombo district registered under Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and random sampling method was adopted. Descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis techniques were used to analyze data and Adrew Hayes Process Macro was utilized to identify the moderation role of selected variables. Research finding indicated that e-procurement and e-communication have a positive relationship with operational performance. Eprocurement significantly and positively influences on operational performance while there is no significant effect found between e-communication and operational performance. Furthermore, supplier relationship quality moderates the effect with the eprocurement and operational performance of SME travel agencies. Results suggested that, even IT adoption of SME travel agencies are in a considerable level, furthermore traditional travel agencies should develop their IT practices with the suppliers and strengthen the relationship quality with suppliers to survive in the travel and tourism industry.
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    An Analysis of Barriers and Opportunities of Community-Based Tourism (Special Reference to Mannar District)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Croos, J.T.T.; Kumara, P.H.T.; Nawarathne, A.M.D.B.; Idroos, A.A.
    Tourism is a vital contributor to the economy of any nation and it is a prime foreign income earner. Community-based tourism (CBT) is a form of tourism that is generally small scale and involves interactions between visitors and the host community, particularly suited to rural areas. The communities in Mannar who depended on natural resources have not been benifited from tourism in terms of enhancing economic and social welfare in a positive way. Many tourism development initiatives have been designed but without incorporating the knowledge of local communities which is essential in the process. It is assumed that if tourism is going to make a positive change in the living standards of these communities, CBT can offer hope for a partnership between the investors and communities. Hence, the objective of the study was to analyse the current situation, barriers, and opportunities for CBT in Mannar. The purposeful sampling technique was used to select 15 respondents from government sectors, private sectors, and community members. A qualitative research design was adopted in this research. The information was derived from direct interviews and thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis. Findings indicated that the current situation of CBT in Mannar has interaction with the awareness of tourism and perception of CBT. The operational limitations, structural limitations, and cultural limitations were identified as barriers for CBT in Mannar. Beach, wildlife, historical sites, cultural activities and pilgrimage activities were identified as the opportunities for CBT in Mannar. There is a huge potential in Mannar to develop CBT by overcoming the barriers. An adequate government support and stakeholder participation (community participation) could help to accelerate CBT in Mannar. . Keywords: Community, Tourism development, Opportunities, Challenges
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    Determinants of Street Food Consumption in Colombo City, Sri Lanka; Perspective of Foreign Tourists
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2018) Perera, M.D.C.M.; Nawarathne, A.M.D.B.; Kulatunga, K.M.M.C.B.
    Street food vending is one of the major livelihoods in many countries in the world, specially in developing countries by contributing up to 50 percent of daily diet of urban consumers. Street foods also a noticeable source of attracting tourists to a particular destination as the gastronomic tourism, and culinary tourism. Low level of income earners as well as low-end tourists who are satisfying their needs in the cheapest possible way are highly depend on street food. Consumption of street foods in Sri Lanka also is becoming an increasingly important component of the food market because of strong interaction with the tourism. However, information on street food industry has been found to be greatly lacking in many developing countries. In order to show more light on the street food sector, a study was carried out to recognize the determinant of street food consumption of international tourists in Colombo city, Sri Lanka. The main purpose of this study is to discover the most influencing determinant of street food consumption of international tourists in Colombo city and develop the profile of street food consumers. Sample of 100 international tourists chosen through convenience sampling technique and data were collected through a self-administrated questionnaire. Multiple regression model, identified that out of Economical, Environmental, Socio Cultural, Physical and Psychological factors. Accordingly the Economical factors are the most influencing for the tourist's perspective towards the street food consumption in Colombo city as most of the time, street foods are consumed by the low income earners who are highly sensitive about expenditures. The study recommends that street food industry stakeholders have to concern the pricing and other economical factors in advance to develop the street food industry in Sri Lanka.
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    Integrated Marketing Communication as a Tool to Promote Heritage Destinations in Sri Lanka; With Special Reference to Anuradhapura Ancient City
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Udana, K. T.; Tennakon, T.M.P.S.I.; Nawarathne, A.M.D.B.
    Heritage tourism is one of most prominent areas of tourism in the country. Heritage destinations of Sri Lanka face ever increasing competition from other South & Southeast Asian countries. Integrated marketing communication is selected as a potential promotional method for heritage destinations and it will be able to gain a competitive advantage over other competitors. Integrated marketing communication is the process of combining all the marketing communication method to send a consistent massage to end consumers with using most effective methods. Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka with a history close to 2500 years. Recent tourism growth of the area was much slower compared to other heritage destinations in the country. Hence, the purpose of the study was to identify existing IMC channels influencing heritage destination promotion, to identify most effective IMC channels for promotion of heritage destination and to examine IMC as a tool to promote heritage destinations in Sri Lanka. Primary data was collected by the author from 100 foreign tourists using convenient sampling technique and 10 tourism stakeholders were interviewed using purposeful sampling technique in Anuradhapura ancient city. Explanatory Sequential Mixed Method was employed and descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used in analysing of the data. The findings of the study revealed that integrated marketing communication can be used as a promotional tool for heritage destinations in Sri Lanka. However it has to be conducted sensibly with fixed set of goals. Clear tourism strategies, increase the use of new media platforms and promotional methods, decrease the use of conventional methods of promotions and implementation of private & public partnership were essential for an effective use of integrated marketing communication.
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    The Study on Green Event Management Practices to Initiate Sustainable Business Growth in Sri Lanka; Event Managers’ Perception
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Dilhani, M.G.N.; Nawarathne, A.M.D.B.; Kumara, P.H.T.
    The growth of the festival and event tourism sector has been spectacular in recent years and thus, event management has become increasingly popular with it growing and expanding equally as much as event tourism. Further, with its exponential growth, there is a criticism for making a large contribution to environmental pollution. Therefore, many international companies are making event greening a part of their tender process. Hence, the objectives of the study was to identify the current green event management practices, to identify the current issues and barriers encompass the management and staging of a green event and to examine the practices to improve the green event management to initiate sustainable business growth in Sri Lanka. Primary data collected by the author from 15 event managers out of 28 from event management practitioners within the whole different range of event management organizations in Sri Lanka who have the membership of Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibition and Event Organizers. Structured interviewed using the convenient sampling technique in Colombo district is the main source of data. Qualitative data analytical method was employed and thematic analysis was used in analyzing the data. The findings of the study revealed that, waste management, energy efficiency, and bio diversity as the parental themes to identify the current green practices which the companies have been practiced and technology, cost, customer mentality, government support, and lack of infrastructure facilities as current issues and barriers of implementing green events in Sri Lanka. They struggled in implementing fully green events while achieving the sustainable business growth. Further, green events can be used by event organizers as a tool for gaining competitive advantages and maximization of the company reputation which are affected to initiate sustainable business growth.