A Study on Community Involvement in Tourism Benefit Sharing in Sri Lanka with Special Reference to Dambulla
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka
Abstract
The level of local community involvement in tourism will result in more benefits to
livelihood having a strong rapport between the local community and tourism industry.
Active participation is important to gain benefits from tourism activities otherwise
community involvement can be a disturbance to tourism development in the area. This
research mainly focused to identify tourism benefits, how the community involves
sharing benefits, and to identify challenges, issues while observing community
expectations to enhance community involvement in tourism benefits sharing. The study
utilized a qualitative methodology underpinned phenomenology research approach with
13 community members in Dambulla in Sri Lanka. Focus groups and semi-structured
interviews were carried out to gather primary data and the collected data were
transcribed and analysed manually using thematic analysis and micro-interlocutor
analysis. According to the findings of the study, there were more economic benefits than
the other benefits generated through the tourism industry in the area. Further, the huge
involvement of the community was shown as employment opportunities. There were
some challenges and issues faced by the community and expectations such as the need
for awareness programs, development of infrastructure facilities required to assure better
sharing tourism benefits. Build-up more business opportunities, continue awareness and
training programs, usage of environment-friendly transportation methods, the
participation of host community leadership to the decision-making process can be
mentioned as recommendations of the study. For future research, factors affecting on
community livelihood through tourism activities, factors affecting the perception of the
host community towards cultural tourism preservation and promotion in the cultural
triangle can be recommended.
Keywords: Tourism benefits, Community involvement, Challenges and issue,
Expectations
Description
Keywords
Hospitality Management, Tourism Industry, Tourism Management, Event Management