Abstract:
Tourism is a multidisciplinary industry that involves many different stakeholders in
its operational activities. One of the primary criteria of sustainable tourism
development in any tourist destination is the active participation and collaboration of
stakeholders. The beach boys are one of the major stakeholders in the coastal tourism
and depend upon tourists, who generate both positive and negative impacts to the
tourism industry as well as to the local community and society. Therefore, the study
investigates the roles of the beach boys and their effect on the sustainable tourism
operations in Hikkaduwa beach area. The study also identifies the problems and
difficulties faced by the beach boys while participating in the tourism. The study was
conducted using the mixed methodology. A survey was conducted using a self
administered questionnaire and the data gathered from 113 tourists who visited
Hikkaduwa beach area. In addition, 10 unstructured interviews and discussions were
conducted to gather information from the beach boys and all the other stakeholders
such as hotel managers, shop owners and three wheel drivers. The study revealed that
most of the tourists like to obtain the beach boys’ service as it is cheap and widely
available. Further, the tourists perceived the beach boys as friends and believed that
they play positive roles in tourism. There were few segments of foreign tourists who
were highly afraid of the beach boys and their appearance and behaviours and further
believe that they play negative roles. On the other hand, the local community
including hoteliers refuse the role and the behaviour of the beach boys from tourism
operations. The study found that there is a positive relationship between the beach
boys and sustainable beach tourism in Hikkaduwa according to the tourists’ point of
view. The prevailing conflicting situation has negatively affected on the sustainable
beach tourism in Hikkaduwa.
