Development Of Tourism In Sri Lanka Tourism Essay

Development Of Tourism In Sri Lanka Tourism Essay1. Sri Lanka is a gorgeous tropic paradise island in theIndian Ocean located close to India, having a diversity of draw plays ranging from historic to archeological and natural. strategic greatness gave the exposure to this island nation to establish associate between West and East from quaint epochs imputable to its tramp of natural attractions ranging from archeological, historical, long inheritance embraced with its rich traditional culture, literature, memoir and none separate than its bulk whom outperform cognize for their friendliness and cordial reception has prompted legion(predicate) to visit this beautiful island.2. Thirty years of separatist secernate of warfargon by the valet de chambre around ruthless terror outfit, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), had devastated particularly the normalityern and east theatres of our awkward. It had non created much conducive environs for either busin ess including touristry in Sri Lanka. Three decades of war which destructed whole virtually(a) wholly strata of our society and at that place were significant destruction for the space and assets in northwestwardern and easterly atomic number 18as. Overall basis facilities argon precise anaemic in these areas thitherfore so legion(predicate) core cerebrate issues had emerged from this property.3. Having conceptualize ideas in their minds politic most of the people in this part of our country think that they are segregated or discriminated by the Sinhalese mass in the country and they are not treated equally. To outset this wit and re-build our nation from this post conflict scenario especially the areas in north and east United States it has identify that gro gaing of tourism industry can play a vital role. Having understanding the importancy, goerning body took the initiative to bring forth infrastructure with the aim of improve the connectivity with nort h and the east and taken as a wholly to reconnect or re-establish link between the south. If you make do these deuce main areas in that location are solidification of spots readily available to promote tourism and with touch to special consideration rejoinn to post conflict scenario mod strategy has violateed to identify and phylogenesis of the tourist podecadetial in the uniting and East. Definitely, this can be use to strengthen the ataraxis of mind and perceptual constancy and to win the hearts and minds of the people who had suffered immensely due to the gory of war. ride4. The aim of this paper is to emphasis the exploitation of tourism in North and East and how its going to contribute towards achieving sustainable peace.BACKGROUND5. Known by one or other of its some(prenominal) names like Lanka, Serendib, Taprobane, Zellan, Cellao, Ceylon and most famous as The pearl of Indian Ocean are a few. Sri Lanka was famous for gems, pearls, ivory, spices, irrigation and agri ethnic systems, boat manufacturing and for tea in ancient time period. aside from these it was none to other nations if you consider about its sunny and piquant beaches, natural rain forests, wild spirit, water falls, cool misty mountains, confused terrain features, archeological sites, flora and many, you name it you can see them all in this paradise island and because of its uniqueness United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) under their world heritage convention has included eight areas including six ethnical and two natural areas of those values under world heritage sites which has besides amplified the significance of our beautiful island.6. The areas belong to two north and east reserve a long-standing history with regard to both ancient and tourism. Cultural heritage of both the districts goes way back to ancient quantify and it reminds perpetual merge of tourists from various parts of the world and it clearly signifies that th ese areas were continuous attractions of the tourists. Apart from all, these areas were in the main popular for its natural attractions, socio-ethnical attractions and man made attractions.7. Both these areas are very much popular for its long stretches of smooth sandy beaches with warm gentle water. The Nilaveli is considered as one of the best beaches and Arugam bay was recognized as Worlds 13 best surfing loc due to its tropical wave and both the areas covers two third of the coastal line of the country. Eastern coast is recognized as best for the ocean based recreational activities. In addition, all these areas are famous for underwater diving, swimming, whale ceremony and sailing were some of the attractions for both foreign and domestic tourists in the past mainly before the intensify of the war.8. If you take the other attractions you can find some rich heathen heritage sites which give clear evidence about the greatness of our ancestors those who lived in those areas. It is not confined to one religion or corporation in general thither are so many sites connect to Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity, all these were best tourists attractions before the war.9. in that respect are several wild life sanctuaries, aviaries, natural reserves and forest areas especially in the east area which added natural attractions and eco based tourism to the nation.10. Since, these areas were home for multi ethnic communities specially the eastern part it gave a valuable component for tourism through cultural diversification. every furthermost(predicate) three major communities Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims were animation in harmony in these areas before the war escalated.11. There were trustworthy steps and actions were taken by the government for the stickment and promotion of tourism in these areas. both(prenominal) of them are as fol.a. First Tourism Master Plan (1967-1976). b. morsel Tourism Master Plan (1992-2001).c. Trincomalee Ocean City Developmen t Plan.d. Strategic Tourism Development Plan for North and East.12. However, none of in a higher place plans were seems to shoot placed sufficient emphasis on the need to improve tourism due to many reasons and most influential reason was the prolonged war situation prevailed in those areas.POTENTIAL OF EXPANSION OF TOURISM INDUSTRY TO warfare AFFECTED ZONES13. Sri Lankan government with the intention of developing tourism industry in the North and East had launched certain evolution assures to turn over its vision to diversify tourism industry in the country as the largest foreign replace earner benefiting the stakeholders of tourism and the people of Sri Lanka. World bank offered its fullest support in this regard and certain areas were totally unreachable due to the war which was there for the last three decades. Therefore, certain performance tar maintains were revised after the obliteration of the terrorism problem and subsequent restoration of peace and club in the c ountry.14. To promote the good country as a tourist cultivation based on the overall objective emphasis was given to the development of industry especially in North and East merely not only to gain foreign exchange but also to shake up the condition of the people and also to deliver the goods sustainable peace in the country. Following areas were identified as major development areas in these to provinces.a. Northern province. It has an area of 8,884 square kilometers and demarcated by North central and North westbound provinces from its south boundary, Gulf of Mannar and Palk bay from its west, Palk straight to the northern tip and request of Bengal to its east. There are few administrative divisions in the province, which are Jaffna, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mullaittivu. All the areas were badly touch on by the three decades of war. hale-nigh significant element in this province is that there are certain islands belongs to this province, those are Mandathivu, K ayts, Punguduthivu, Nainathivu, Karaithivu, Analathivu, Chirathivu, Eluvaithivu, Iranathivu, Nedunthivu, Palaithivu and Kachchathivu. Most of these islands are covered with some sandy beaches. Area is also known for its traditional ancient history, which was enriched, by solid socio and economic culture. Generally, it has a tropical hot climate and estimated universe was 1.3 million in year 2007. grievous places those are in coition with tourism as fols.(1) Nagadeepa Temple.(2) Nallur Kandaswamy Hindu Kovil.(3) Jaffna Fort.(4) Jaffna Library.(5) The Sangilian Palace.(6) The Manthri Walauwa.(7) Mawadipuram Kovil.(8) Ponnalai Pond.(9) Dambakolapatuna Temple.(10) Madagal set down.(11) Cashurina Beach.(12) Delft Island.(13) Kotakadu Beach.(14) Chankanai Church.(15) Kadurugoda (Kantharidai) Buddhistic Temple.(16) Bottomless Well at Puththur.(17) Point Pedro Beach and Light House.(18) Vallipuram Kovil.(19) Naguleshwaren Sivam Kovil.(20) Kudiramalai Point.(21) Madhu shrine in Mannar.( 22) Iranamadu Tank.(23) Elephant pass.(24) Vattapalai Hindu Temple in Mullaittivu.(25) Areas link to War Terrorism.b. Eastern Province. With a total gross land area of 9,996 sq km Eastern province is the largest province in the country with fourth lowest population density of 162 persons per sq km. It comprises of three districts namely Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. All these three districts eat up some superb bluish beeches and with some added attractions such as whale watching and diving. Ampara, Arugam Bay is famous for its tropical waves which are ideal for surfing. In addition, there are few wild life and skirt parks. Main tourists attraction places are as fols.(1) In Trincomalee District.(a) Bay Area in the outside Harbour consists ofi. Marble Bay.ii. Sweet Bay.iii. Deadman,s Cove.1v. Clappenburg Bay.(b) Nilaveli/Kuchc affirmli/Uppuveli Areas.(c) Coastal blast from Kuchchaveli to Kokilai Lagoon.(d) Coastal Belt from Kuchchaveli to Sinnakaratchi Area.(e) Pigeon Islan d conserve as a national park.(f) Kokilai lagoon designated as a hiss sanctuary.(g) Thennamaravadi bird sanctuary.(h) Whale and Dolphin watching area outer(a) harbour.(2) In Batticaloa District.(a) The Dutch Fort.(b) Pasikudha Beach/ Kaluwankerny Beach/Kallady Beach/Kayankerni Beach/Mankerni Beach.(c) Kalkudha Bay.(d) Sathrukodan reputed for its bird species and crocodiles.(e) Vakarai Sand Spit, Uppar Lagoon, Panchchankerni and Veranativu famous for its ecological habits.(f) Palameenmadu famous for its attractive landscape.(3) In Ampara District.(a) Arugam Bay.(b) Pottuvil Lagoon.(c) Kalmunai Beach/Komari Beach/Peanut farm Beach.(d) Kumana National Park.(e) Lahugala/Kitulana National Park.(f) Muhudu Maha Viharaya.15. Identification of the cultural value in the area is an important aspect of tourism, in this relation there are few important areas that we have to consider. The Veddha community still lives in these areas retaining their traditional life style, the wide cultural diversi ty due to variety of ethnic groups and religions and also the presence of smaller ethnic groups original to the province, such as Malays, Gypsies and Burghers especially in the eastern province. The Ramayana trial think to the epic Ramayana, there are over 50 sites have been identified in Sri Lanka and six of these in the eastern province. Pada Yathra, an ancient pilgrim tradition is associated with the eastern province via Ampara and Kumana forests areas to Katharagama holy land to worship Lord Murugan. Religious worships were mentioned above and Marine tourism too ads some supplementary value to entire industry.SITUATION ANALYSIS16. Having considered about the areas which we could expand in order to develop tourism industry in the country it was clearly evident that the areas related to North and East could provide and give a vital contribution in this regard. It is therefore paramount of importance to conduct a situation analysis where we can still get an insight in order to train the matter in an apposite manner. Here we conduct the suffice under SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis method and consideration of other factors in order to ascertain further components, which are going to affect to achieve our objectives. Following are the findings from the SWOT analysis in respect of the subdue matter.a. Northern province entrust mainly consist of following factors.(1) Strengths.(a) payoff of peace and normalcy.(b) very fine beaches with safe swimming conditions.(c) Cultural experiences.(d) archaeological and historical sites.(e) Religious post sites.(f) Domestic aviation related areas.(g) Areas related to war tourism.(2) Weaknesses.(a) Inadequate of accommodation/ canonic facilities.(b) Absence of skilled workers in this sports stadium.(c) Religious myths/cast system.(e) Distance from capital.(f) insufficiency of knowledge about the industry.(3) Opportunities.(a) best accessibility by roads in near future.(b) Increase participation with regard to field especially after the war.(c) Jobs availability in the cover.(d) variety show of varieties with regard to interests of the tourists.(e) Fresh beaches/natural sites.(f) Investment which go away bring berried dividends.(4) Threats.(a) consolidation with the local community is low.(b) Sympathetic/ideologic differences prevailing against LTTE.(c) Lack of interest of the people to contribute.(d) Financial condition/poverty level.b. Eastern province give mainly consist of following factors(1) Strengths.(a) Return of peace and normalcy.(b) Very fine beaches with safe swimming conditions.(c) rum seasonality and favorable whether throughout the year.(d) archeological and historical sites.(e) Religious interest sites/ Cultural experiences.(f) Wild life/bird watching/proximity to national parks.(g) Water sports.(2) Weaknesses.(a) Inadequate of accommodation/basic facilities.(b) Absence of skilled workers in this field.(c) Neglected and poor infrastruct ure conditions.(e) local anaesthetic environment problems.(f) Lack of knowledge about the industry.(3) Opportunities.(a) Better accessibility by roads in near future.(b) Increase interest with regard to field especially after the war.(c) Jobs availability in the trade.(d) Mixture of varieties with regard to interests of the tourists.(e) Unique coastal line stretching more than 200 kilometers.(f) Prime Asiatic holiday destination in summer months.(g) Domestic airport facilities.(4) Threats.(a) Integration with the local community is low.(b) Sympathetic/ideological differences prevailing against LTTE.(c) Lack of interest of the people to contribute.(d) Financial condition/poverty level.(e) Ribbon development occurring on the coastline due to nonadherence to the land use planning control.17. Carefully exam of the outcome of the situational analysis allow gives an overall representation of the intention to achieve the objective that is the most precious sustainable peace for our co untry. There are certain important areas, which have to be address by the government and mystic sector has to play a vital role of achieving the normal objective. As far as the government is concerned, it is therefore necessary to develop infrastructure facilities such as access roads, electricity, water for drinking and other purposes, sewage deposal and waste disposal at the initial stage and private sector could contribute specially with regard to achieve financial perceptual constancy and development of human resource factor with the aim of facilitating the final outcome.18. straightway government has launched certain development take ins targeting the entire development of these provinces, which were badly affected by the war, and it is important to note that there was no significant development run intos were conducted at both these provinces for the last three decades due the escalation of war.20. Under the Uthuru wasanthaya project which targeted rapid development of N orthern province and Eastern revival project which targeted development in the Eastern province, including tourism industry has launched certain mega development projects in order to develop once war tone areas has reached certain impressive standards and this was commended by the International community too. Last year Sri Lanka was among the best tourist attractions/destination in the world and it has recorded 654,477 tourist arrivals, which was the highest spot ever recorded during the past ten years.21. Apart from the development of infrastructure facilities there are some other challenges have to be consider which gives a direct impact to the stability of the peace. Those are resettling of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), humanist de-mining and Re-integration of ex-LTTE combatants to the society.22. Careful analysis of the factors, which could use to address the issues with regard to IDPs and ex-combatants in the mount of the study, can achieve astonishing results. Develop ment of tourism therefore go away come in handy because there are so many avenues are at large(p) for us to address some key issues relating for these provinces and thereby reaching towards the outcome.SUMMARY23. Sri Lanka with its strategic location, diversity of attractions with its rich traditional culture, literature, history and none other than its people whom best known for their friendliness and hospitality has prompted many to visit this beautiful island.24. Thirty years of separatist war by the world most ruthless terror outfit, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had devastated especially the Northern and Eastern areas of our country. It had not created much conducive environment for any business including tourism in Sri Lanka. Three decades of war which destructed all most all strata of our society and there were significant destruction for the property and assets in Northern and Eastern areas. Overall infrastructure facilities are very weak in these areas there fore so many core related issues had emerged from this situation. People in the North and East lost their trust towards the volume Sinhalese people and this was further aggravated with the escalation of the war.25. The areas belong to both north and east have a long-standing history with regard to both ancient and tourism. Cultural heritage of both the provinces goes way back to ancient times and it reminds continuous flow of tourists from various parts of the world and it clearly signifies that these areas were continuous attractions of the tourists. Apart from all, these areas were mainly popular for its natural attractions, socio-cultural attractions and man made attractions.26. There were certain steps taken by the successive governments and authorities to develop tourism industry in these provinces were failed due to the in-completeness and war situation prevailed in the country. With the dawn of peace to our nation the importancy of developing of the tourism industry in these two provinces were again taken into consideration in order to address certain issues in these provinces. Mainly to uplift the life style of the people and by developing tourism industry pull up stakes automatically aid the development of the area specially in the fields of infrastructure development, telecommunications, technology, trade and finance. Last year Sri Lanka was among the best tourist attractions/destination in the world and it has recorded 654,477 tourist arrivals, which was the highest number ever recorded during the past ten years.28. Sri Lankan government with the intention of developing tourism industry in the North and East had launched certain development projects to achieve its vision to transform tourism industry in the country as the largest foreign exchange earner benefiting the stakeholders of tourism and the people of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Tourism Development Authority and the Hotel school proposed skill-training project in order to uplift the skill l evel would play a vital role with regard to training aspect. On going mega development projects launched under the ministries of Nation building, Economic development and central bank forget gives an added advantage for the fulfillment of the vision.29. Potential expansion of the industry in these areas were assessed and there were so many spots which we could develop as tourist destinations were identified. With the situational analysis, it was further elaborated what we have to do exactly and what areas should be given the consideration.30. Apart from the development of infrastructure facilities there are some other challenges have to be consider which gives a direct impact to the stability of the peace. Those are resettling of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), Humanitarian de-mining and Re-integration of ex-LTTE combatants to the society. Careful analysis of the factors, which could use to address the issues with regard to IDPs and ex-combatants in the context of the study, ca n achieve astonishing results. Development of tourism therefore bequeath come in handy because there are so many avenues are open for us to address some key issues relating for these provinces and thereby reaching towards the outcome.RECOMENDATIONS31. Having considered the opportunities available for us it is paramount importance to give the priority to the people in these areas to get them selves employed in the vacancies existing in this field. Priority must be given to ex-LTTE combatants and IDPs. This will also gives the luck to re-integrate these people to the society in a dark-fruited manner. Will also help the reduction of poverty level and unemployment specially in the field of youth unemployment and this will directly facilitate to have sustainable peace in our country because unemployment will lead to many disputes and presently vacancies available in this tourism industry will greatly create the opportunity to address this issue.32. With the development of tourism indus try in both these two provinces will give the opportunity to the people in these areas to market their products. This will reduce the poverty level and in decrease their income will go up and financial status of the society will go up. This is also very much vital to retain sustaining peace because once you loose or decrease the financial status in the society there is a tendency of getting into a point to demand unnecessarily and to gain adverse advantages in return it will de-stabilize the society.33. Development of tourism in these provinces will directly enhance the confederacy and participation of the people in these areas towards nation development. In return, it will give a positive result of sustaining peace in this country because for the last three decades of time due to the war, participation towards achieving the goals of the nation was deprived from these people. They will also have the equal opportunity to contribute and as well as to get themselves benefited from t he outcome. This will also negate the mentality that they were not treated accordingly as per their rights because most of them think being the nonage Tamil community in our country they were deprived from their rights and discriminated as a whole by the Sinhalese majority.34. Expansion of the industry will open up so many other avenues to develop these areas and people whom contained or restricted for a very small geographical area will have the opportunity to establish links between their counterparts in the south. This will also help to build the understanding between people and to win the hearts and minds of the people. People in the south will also get an opportunity to interact with this people and this will narrow down ideological differences they had. Exploiting the opportunity got from this industry will help to reach towards sustainable peace and to develop harmony among the communities.35. As a whole development of tourism in these provinces will greatly help to develop t he infrastructure facilities in these areas and this will help to uplift the social standards to reach for higher living conditions too. This will gives a positive feeling for the people whom have undergone lot of difficulties during the war period and who lived under the crutches of LTTE terrorism. This will also give a positive impact towards achieving of sustainable peace in our country.36. People in these provinces will get the opportunity to explore the world and more over to establish or earn a reputation among the international community in return this will help to up lift the state of their minds because they will feel the importance of being recognized amongst the international community. This is because of the opportunity that we are getting from the development or expansion of tourism industry.