Browsing by Author "Ranaweera, R.A.A.K."

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    Are We Ready to Hit?; The Preparedness of Hotel Sector to Grab the New Normal Market Bloom – Evidence from Major Chain Hotels in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Wijesinghe, B.G.L.T.; Karunarathne, A.C.I.D.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    The COVID -19 pandemic has made the global tourism industry more vulnerable. Many developing economies mainly relying on tourism are strongly challenged in industry resources and operational procedures hence demands a paradigm change. Consequently, the Sri Lankan hospitality industry is also tremendously affected from this pandemic. Currently, the hotels are seeking to reopen accepting the new normal condition, while adhering to the social restrictions and strict health regulations and emphasizing the importance of assessing the preparedness for the new normal pandemic situation. Hence, the current study was extended in order to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the Sri Lankan hotel sector, to investigate the preparedness of the Sri Lankan hotel sector for the operations during the new normal condition of COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine the challenges ahead for the operations of hotel industry in preparing for the new normal condition of COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative research approach was adapted to provide a more comprehensive overview of the context. A representative sample of ten management level employees representing three major hotel chains in Sri Lanka were employed in data collection process selected through purposive sampling. In order to understand the context more deeply and elaboratively, the structured interviews were occupied to gather primary data in this study. The key findings indicated that hotels have been affected severely by the pandemic in terms of financial and operational aspects. Hotels have assessed their departments and established safety protocols to ensure a seamless hotel operation prioritizing the adherence to SLTDA operational guidelines introduced recently. It also revealed that lack of travel motivation of the public, high switching costs, various travel restrictions, challenge of ensuring safety of the guest and staff, human resource management practices, continuity of service quality, and competitiveness as key challenges faced by hotels due to the pandemic. Moreover, focusing more on the domestic segment, additional and redesigned training to employees, contactless services, promoting ayurvedic treatments and immunity boosting foods, are recommended for the Sri Lankan hotel industry. In conclusion, the study revealed that the Sri Lankan hotel sector is well prepared to operate under the new normal condition of COVID-19 pandemic. Keywords: Hotel Sector; COVID-19 Pandemic; Preparedness; Impact and Challenges; New Normal Condition; Sri Lanka
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    Contribution of Rural Tourism as a Development Strategy for Rural Community (Special Reference to Hiriwadunna Village Track, Meemure and Heeloya Knuckles Valley Tourism Village in Sri Lanka)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Pattiyagedara, P.G.S.S.; Fernando, P.I.N.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Rural tourism is one of the niche markets of the tourism industry and crucial determinant which mostly deals with the rural lifestyle. Sri Lanka is a country that has the potentials for rural tourism development as an island with rich natural resources and human capital. Yet, there is a few types of research related to rural tourism development in Hiriwadunna Village Track, Meemure, and Heeloya Knuckles Valley Tourism village in Sri Lanka conducted on rural tourism activities regularly as one of their main livelihoods. The main focuses of this study were to identify the impact of destination attributes on visitor satisfaction and determine the contribution of rural tourism initiatives on the household economy and socio-culture of tourism stakeholders. A convenient sampling technique was used to select two sets of respondents such as 100 foreign, local visitors, and 12 tourism stakeholders as the sample. Both quantitative and qualitative research design (mixed methods) was adopted in the research. The information was derived from questionnaires and structured interviews. The study used descriptive analysis, multiple regression analysis, and thematic analysis methods. Findings indicated that attraction, accessibility, amenities, ancillary services, available packages, and activities (destination attributes) significantly influenced visitor satisfaction. The need to improve accessibility and ancillary services through infrastructure development. The benefits of rural tourism have been expressed as direct employment, economic growth, social empowerment, living standard, cultural exchange, and destination image. According to the results, the negative impacts were revealed as poor quality jobs, cost of living, cultural influences, and misbehavior. There is a huge potential to develop sustainable tourism concepts under rural tourism such as agro-tourism, community-based tourism, and nature-based tourism as an instrument of multidimensional poverty in these rural areas. . Keywords: Rural tourism, Destination attributes, Tourists satisfaction, Household economy
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    Environmentally Responsible Behaviour in Ecotourism: Evidence from Eco Tourists in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Eco tourism is also one of the fastest growing segments among the tourists in the world. This study presents the empirical findings of a quantitative study which looks at environmentally responsible behaviour of tourists engaged in ecotourism in Sri Lanka. Based on the past researchers, this study carried out through behavioural model in which perceived value, satisfaction and activity involvement with respect to the environmentally responsible behaviour. The objectives of the research are to identify the profile of eco tourist in Sri Lanka, to identify the relationship of perceived value, satisfaction and activity involvement with respect to the environmentally responsible behaviour, to identify the effect of perceived value, satisfaction and activity involvement with respect to the environmentally responsible behaviour. Research data mainly depend on the primary data collected from 100 eco-tourists in Ella and Horton plains eco-tourism destinations. Judgemental sampling technique addressed for the study and data collected through structured questionnaire. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, the researcher conducted descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results show that environmentally responsible behaviour show during and after the delivery of the travel experience. According to the research perceived value, satisfaction and activity involvement can promote environmentally responsible behaviour of tourists. While perceived value directly affects environmentally responsible behaviour, satisfaction & activity involvement can additionally enhance the environmentally responsible behaviour. Finally, based on the determinants, researcher discussed responsibilities of the tourism service providers & other responsible parties to increase the quality of the experience of eco travellers.
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    Factors Affecting on Performance of SMEs (With Special Reference to Women-Owned Tourism SMEs in Galle District)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Chathurangi, K.V.N.; Deshappriya, N.P.R.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute to the socio-economic development of a country through generating employment and income and also reducing poverty and inequality. The tourism industry is a fast-growing industry in the world and most of the businesses related to the tourism industry are SMEs. Apart from that, women’s business participation has been increasing not only at the global level but also at the local level as well. The current study attempted to examine the factors affecting on the performance of SMEs with special reference to women-owned tourism SMEs in Galle district. The study empirically tested five factors affecting the performance of women-owned tourism SMEs. The factors included individual characteristics, motivation and goals, resources, entrepreneurial orientation, and environment factors. Data were collected from 100 women entrepreneurs who were engaged in tourism-related SMEs in Galle district. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regressions. This study identified four challenges (lack of adequate funding, inability to separate the business capital, lack of crucial infrastructural facilities, and lack of proper business and management skills/knowledge) faced by women entrepreneurs descriptively. The study concludes that the entrepreneur’s personal qualities directly influence the success of an entrepreneur and there is a positive relationship with enterprise performance as well. The results also emphasize that the five factors are positively affecting the performance of the women-owned tourism SMEs. The study recommends to women entrepreneurs and tourism SMEs to incorporate such factors and also policymaker and other interest parties to consider these facts when developing policy strategies on tourismrelated SMEs and women entrepreneurs. Keywords: Women entrepreneur, Tourism SMEs, Performance factors, Enterprise performance
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    Identify Guest’s Satisfaction on Services Provided by Different Hospitality Establishments–Special Reference to City Hotels and Resorts in Western Province, Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2019) Madhusankha, W.A.I; Oshadha, B.A.P; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Base on customer’s expectations hospitality businesses can be classified as tourist hotels, supplementary establishments and other establishments. Facilities, products and service of each hotels make unique experience to guests. When guests expecting same experience form all hospitality establishments it will difficult to make guest’s satisfaction. The primary objective of this research to recognize customer’s satisfaction level on products and service of four main departments, in City hotels and resorts. Products and service of front office, housekeeping, food and beverage, and kitchen departments selected as the factors to identify level of guest’s satisfaction. Hundred and fifty guests from three city hotels and hundred and fifty guests from three resorts in western province were selected conveniently as the study sample. A structured questionnaire was distributed to collect primary data and descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used in the study in order to achieve the research objectives. Findings of the research reviewed that customer’s satisfaction on food and beverage, housekeeping and front office department’s services has strong positive relationship with the service provider’s knowledge and behaviour in resorts than city hotels. Customer satisfaction level on facilities provided by resorts higher than city hotels. Findings revealed that personalized service increase the loyalty of customers in resorts than city hotels and satisfaction level of provided facilities increase the loyalty of customers in city hotels than resorts. City hotel customers expect fast service and resorts customers are expecting unique and deep service from service providers. Identifying the customer’s expectation will be reason to reduce customer complains. The service nature of the resorts hotels can use to make satisfy the customers of city hotels, it is sensitive application and should be carefully apply to the city hotels by concerning price, product and time.
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    The Impact of HRM Practices on Career Succession Plans (With Special Reference to Sri Lankan Hotel Industry)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Viduranga, W.P.C.; Damunupola, A.K.A.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Tourism is one of the largest and rapidly developing industries in the world. In Sri Lankan context, the hospitality and tourism industry plays a significant role in the economy and labor market. As far as the hotel sector is concerned, it is one of the highly people oriented businesses that largely depends on the quality of the services provided. Thus, employee development has been recognized as one of the most vital aspects in the hospitality industry. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the impact of HRM practices on career succession planning in the hotel industry. In particular, the study limited its focus to the operational level employees occupied in 4-star and 5-star hotels in Colombo district. Further, the study adopted a mix-methods approach to in-depth analyze the scenario. For the quantitative analysis study collected primary data from 100 operational level employees while employing convenience sampling and structured questionnaire methods. Qualitative data were collected from 40 respondents and a semi-structured interview method was applied in data collection. Finally, quantitative data were analyzed while using descriptive analysis; Pearson coefficient correlation, regression analysis and the qualitative data were analyzed with the thematic analysis method. Accordingly, the findings of the study reveal that there is a strong positive relationship between HRM practices and Career succession planning. Further, it was evident that training and development, job rotation and empowerment and compensation schemes have a positive impact on career succession planning. The findings depict that unique HRM practices are one of the key success factors in employee development, retention and long term sustainability. Study recommendations will be useful for the hotel industry specifically, HR managers and government policy makers and the business organizations to recognize and facilitate for employee development and to achieve business success. Keywords: Career Succession Planning; Hospitality Industry; Human Resources Management Practices; Operational level Employees
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    Impact of Workplace Bullying on Employee Job Performance in Hotel Industry; Special Reference to Four-star and Five-star Hotels in Southern Province
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021) Gunawardena, C.D.W.; Damunupola, A.K.A.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    In today‟s competitive business environment, human resources are one of the most critical assets particularly for service-based organizations. One of the most important factors which may affect employees‟ job performance is workplace bullying from employers and colleagues at large. It is considered as a negative and unethical issue which may degrade, humiliate, and create a risk to a healthy working environment. Bullying at the workplace is a very serious issue and can be found in every other organization. This study mainly focused on identifying the impact of workplace bullying on employee job performance in the hotel industry in Southern Province, Sri Lanka, further it investigates the dimensional (i.e. work-related bullying, person- related bullying) impact on job performance. The study adopted a questionnaire survey for a sample of- 132 respondents selected through convenience sampling from four-star and five-star hotels. In order to achieve research purpose, three hypotheses were tested. The results of the correlation and regression tests found workplace bullying negatively impacts on employee job performance. Hence the employees who experience bullying at work should be given adequate support in order to reduce the negative consequences of bullying on employee well-being and job performance. Moreover, the findings of the study provide numerous implications for human resources practitioners to increase employee performance and maintain a bullying free environment in the Hotel industry. Further, it hopes that outcomes of the study will contribute to the current knowledge of workplace bullying and job performance. According to the study findings, workplace bullying negatively impacts employee job performance in the hotel industry in Southern province, Sri Lanka and person-related bullying is the most influential factor for job performance in that industry. Keywords: Workplace bullying; Work related bullying; Person related bullying; Job performance; Human resources; Hotel industr
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    Potentials for Agro Tourism Development in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Weerasooriya, P.C.U.; Wijesundara, W.G.S.R.; Kumara, P.H.T.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Agrotourism, as an alternative to mass tourism, is a rapidly growing segment of the tourism industry. At present, agro-tourism is done by most of the countries in the world aiming at sustainable rural development. Pinnawala area has several features that can be developed as an agro-tourism destination. Due to the lack of government involvement and support, awareness on agro-tourism and infrastructure facilities, the development of agrotourism has been slowed down in Sri Lanka. There is an empirical gap due to the limited studies done in the agro-tourism sector. Pinnawala is an emerging area of interest among tourists where the agro-tourism can be practiced. This research aimed to study the potentials for the application of agro-tourism in the Pinnawala area. After, a comprehensive literature review, a structured questionnaire was constructed. The target sample for the study was tourists who visited Pinnawala from July to August 2019 and the tourism stakeholders in the area. The convenience sampling method was used and the primary data were collected from 73 tourists using the structured questionnaire and from 7 tourism stakeholders with in-depth interviews. Data were analysed with descriptive analysis, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, thematic analysis, and Friedman test. According to the results, it was revealed that there was a relationship between environmental facilities and potential to the agrotourism development in the area. Lack of government involvement and support, lack of agro-tourism awareness, lack of agro tourism-based activities in the area were identified as the most influencing challenges and issues to develop agro-tourism in the area. Based on the findings, it is recommended to concern on development of agro-tourism awareness and training, implementing agro tourism-based activities and products, formulate agro-tourism standards to promote the agro-tourism in the destination. Further, comprehensive research related to the agrotourism activities and product development would be useful to develop agro-tourism in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Agro tourism, Potentials, Tourism development
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    Study on Factors Affecting to Guest’s Decision Making on Online Travel Agencies for Hotel Booking, Evidence from Five Star Hotels in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Madhusankha, W.A.I.; Samarasekara, E.A.S.I.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.; Danthanarayana, C.P.
    Technology development leads hospitality and tourism industries to utilize online-based business activities. In the present scenario, the majority of guests are taking aids of online travel agencies (OTA) to book accommodation. However, factors affecting guests' decision making on OTA for hotel booking remains unclear. Also, few studies have been found on factors affecting guests' decision making on OTA for hotel booking in Sri Lanka by researchers. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify the major factors influencing on guests' decision making on OTA for hotel booking and to identify the most influencing factor/s of guest’s decision making on OTA for hotel booking. An instrument was developed based on previous tourism studies as well as a self-directed survey, and data were collected from 300 hotel guests of the Kalutara district. Quantitative data were collected from the sample by using a convenience sampling method. Based on the data from the survey and using factor analysis, this study identified three influencing factors: social demographic factors, internal factors, and external factors. Among these influencing factors, internal factors and external factors were the most affecting factors. The result further suggested that hotels need to develop their main website with updated applications. Several recommendations were made to the government and hotels, regarding further development of this OTA for hotel booking. Keywords: Five-star hotels, Guest’s decision making, Hotel booking, Online travel agencies
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    A Study on Perception and Destination Loyalty of International Millennial Tourists on Eco Tourism in Sri Lanka (With Special Reference to Ella and Horton Plains)
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2017) Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Eco tourism is potentially one of the fastest growing segment in the international market. Present Sri Lanka performs far below its potentials in eco-tourism. Sri Lankan eco-tourism market hasn't a considerable demand among travelers. Therefore recognition of perception and destination loyalty of millennial travelers is one of the strategy to develop eco-tourism in Sri Lanka. Because millennial is "one of the largest consumer cohort today, they pay more for sustainability compared with other generations & the percentage of youth travellers gradually increased with their environmental attitude. Millennial means individuals who reached adulthood around the turn of the 21st century. The objectives of the research are to identify profile of international millennial tourists towards eco-tourism in Sri Lanka, to study relationship between eco-tourism perception and destination loyalty towards eco-tourism, to determine the effect of eco-tourism perception and destination loyalty towards eco-tourism and to determine the most influential dimension of eco-tourism perception on destination loyalty towards eco-tourism. Research data mainly depend on the primary data collected from 141 international millennial tourists towards eco-tourism in Ella and Horton plains eco-tourism destinations. Judgmental sampling technique addressed for the study and data collected through structured questionnaire. In order to achieve the objectives of this research, the researcher conducted descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. Researcher found that most of the millennial tourists didn't name Sri Lanka as their preferred destination, mainly effect dimensions to occur destination loyalty are resource and content and the concept of sustainable development of the Sri Lanka. Further, based on the determinants, researcher recommends that increase the cleanliness of the destination, use effective promotional method, convergence of facilities, implement the rules and regulations, minimise the entrance cost and increase the quality of the eco-tourism activities and practises of the country.
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    A Study on the Relationship between Destination Attributes and Tourist Satisfaction Mediated by Memorable Tourist Experience Empirical Evidences from Drive Tourists in Sri Lanka
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Rathnayaka, B.R.M.G.M.; Kulathilaka, C.J.P.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Drive tourism is a new trend that emerged in the recent past. It is one of the emerging concepts in the modern Sri Lankan tourism context. Since drive tourism is a new concept, a limited number of researches has been published. This study focused on investigating the relationship between destinations attributes and tourist satisfaction mediated by memorable tourist experience: empirical evidences from drive tourists in Sri Lanka. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted around Ella, Mirissa, and Negombo areas of Sri Lanka and 120 respondents were collected employing a purposive sampling technique. Pearson correlation analysis was carried out to identify the relationship between destination attributes and satisfaction of drive tourist and the relationship between destination attributes and memorable tourist experience and finally Baron and Kenny approach and Sobel test was applied to identify the mediating relationship of memorable tourist experience between destination attributes and satisfaction of drive tourists. The results revealed that the relationship between destination attributes and satisfaction of drive tourists were partially mediated by the memorable tourist experience. A significant strong positive relationship was found between destination attributes and satisfaction of rive tourists while strong positive relationships between destination attributes and memorable tourist experience. To offer the drive tourists with memorable tourist experience, facilities addressing especially drive tourists such as accommodations with ample parking spaces, fuel refilling centers, and money exchange should be improved further to the standard scale. Keywords: Drive tourism, Memorable tourist experience, Destination attributes, Drive tourist satisfaction
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    A Study to Assess the Tourist Satisfaction Towards Marine Tourism: Special Reference to Whale and Dolphin Watching at Trincomalee
    (Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2020) Dilshani, J.L.S.; Fernando, P.I.N.; Ranaweera, R.A.A.K.
    Marine tourism is a niche tourism product and it can be identified as a sustainable alternative to tourism. During the last few decades, marine mammal-based tourism has showed a rapid growth in tourism. Significantly, watching Whales and Dolphins have enjoyed phenomenal growth and is one of the fastest-growing tourism products in the world. Utilization of the true potentials of Whale and Dolphin watching tourism has to be developed and promoted within Sri Lanka. The study focused on assessing tourist satisfaction towards marine tourism with special reference to Whale and Dolphin watching at the Trincomalee area. The objectives of this study were to identify the profile of tourists who are visiting for Whale and Dolphin watching, to identify the relationship between destination attributes and tourist satisfaction on Whale and Dolphin watching and to discover the innovative practices which will be expected by tourists from the service providers of Whale and Dolphin watching industry in marine tourism at Trincomalee area. The study mainly depended on the primary data that were collected through questionnaire and structured interviews. The purposive sampling method was used as a sampling technique to collect data from the 100 both local and foreign tourists. Quantitative and qualitative data analytical methods were employed in analysing the data deploying descriptive analysis, correlation analysis, and thematic analysis. Findings reflected that there was a positive relationship between all the destination attributes (6A’s) and tourist satisfaction towards marine tourism. Moreover, findings discovered certain innovative practices expected by tourists from their service providers in Whale and Dolphin watching industry. Findings suggested implementing expected innovative practices and rules and regulations to promote and sustain the Whale and Dolphin watching tourism in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Marine tourism, Whale and Dolphin watching, Tourist satisfaction