COMMUNITY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT: PROPOSITIONS BASED ON EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SRI LANKA

Abstract

Reaching the goals of socio-economic development is an important aspect for any country that largely depends on the stock of resources available as well as efficiency and effectiveness of managing those resources. This study critically views on the area of development that necessarily to be inclusive of community participation and especially draws its attention to the context of alternative livelihood development and participatory resource management. The study follows the qualitative approach and multiple case study design where empirical evidence gathered from in-depth interviews at two phases as a longitudinal study. Based on the analysis, three major propositions have been developed. The discussion takes a critical reflection on community tourism experience of Sri Lanka with the support of propositions. Further, theoretical and managerial implications have also been surfaced in order to characterises Sri Lankan perspective on Community Environmental and Tourism Initiatives (CETIs).