Sri Lankan Communities at the Heart of Tourism

Sri Lanka is celebrated for its vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, iconic world heritage sites, and incredible wildlife. These timeless treasures ensure it remains a top travel destination for all travellers.

Making remarkable progress in 2024, Sri Lanka is set to exceed 5 billion USD surpassing tourism sector earnings in the past year. Making up for almost 5 percent of the economy during its peak in 2018, tourism still remains the cornerstone of the country’s economy.

Community based tourism is emerging to be a transformative model that directly benefits local communities whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on tourism. Most travellers in the present seek a more community based and experiential travel product as opposed to typical ‘touristy’ experiences.

This collaboration between tourists and local residents enables an authentic cultural exchange between all parties, providing tourists a unique opportunity to blend with local communities.

This approach differs from mainstream tourism as the economic benefit directly flows to the host communities, empowering preservation of their heritage, promoting community pride, improving quality of life and ensuring environmental sustainability. In Sri Lanka, this is a steadily growing trend, with grassroots initiatives playing a pivotal role in its development.

Empowering Local Communities

Economic Empowerment – CBT – also known as Community Based Tourism is promoted as a means of development whereby the social, environmental and economic needs of local communities are met through the offering of a tourism product.

Some of these initiatives are homestays, guided tours and the sale of local crafts. The community contributes in time and labour as an investment. Villages such as Hiriwadunna and Meemure have benefited significantly, with residents earning sustainable livelihoods.

Cultural Preservation – Communities are encouraged to take pride in their cultural heritage by sharing their traditions, cuisine and folklore. Certain prominent religious events in Sri Lanka provide opportunities for locals to share their age-old rituals, ensuring the preservation of them.

Environmental Stewardship – Initiatives that integrate eco-friendly practices such as wildlife conservation, organic farming, eco-friendly accommodation are a few amongst many projects local communities can be part of.

Challenges and Opportunities

Inadequate infrastructure, limited access to marketing platforms, and the dearth in trained local stakeholders are some of the challenges currently faced when attempting to kick start certain projects. Addressing these barriers requires government support, public-private partnerships, and capacity-building programs to ensure communities are well-equipped to host visitors.

As global tourists are beginning to be more mindful of the environmental impact left behind, this poses a unique opportunity to expand CBT. Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural and natural offerings position it as a top contender in this space.

Community-based tourism in Sri Lanka holds immense promise for creating a more equitable and sustainable tourism industry. By empowering local communities and promoting cultural and environmental preservation, CBT can transform Sri Lanka’s tourism landscape into one that truly benefits all stakeholders.