Abstract:
Prehistorically and historically valued indigenous community, their landscapes and
heritage have become significant resource base for sustainable tourism
development in many parts of the world. Unexceptionally Sri Lanka is one of the
great nations holding a number of indigenous community bases in this small island.
The country has comprises with a number of ethnically diverse indigenous
community villages in Uva, East, North-Central and Northern provinces. Indigenous
community villages have been recognized as valuable resource bases to expand the
tourism into rural regions and beyond while empowering the indigenous
community and their local development. However, prevailing tourists visits to
indigenous community villages do not show consistent and considerable
contribution for sustainable development of indigenous community landscapes.
Staged authenticated tourism in indigenous landscapes has led to misperception
and misinterpretation of tourism among the tourists and hosts, indigenous
communities. This study embraces with the objective of studying the consciousness
and recreational values perception of tourism in indigenous community landscapes
to ensure sustainable development. The multiple case study methods have been
adapted to elucidate the naturalistic interpretation of the community members and
tourists over the prevailing tourism. In depth semi structured interviews of
indigenous community leaders in Dambana, Ppllebadde, Vakarai, Henanigala,
Rathugala, Nilgala, Kuchchaweli and Kanniyai interpret history, habitats, heritage,
developmental challenges and deprivation and tourism as panacea. The finding of
the study revealed that the indigenous community in all the villages have failed to
identify the recreational potential and generate the appropriate recreational values
through their heritage, culture, habitats and livelihoods to ensure authentic tourist
experience and enjoyment. Meanwhile, tourists also visit indigenous community
landscapes without consciousness and appropriate recreational value perceptions.
The study emphasizes the indigenous community to rediscover and repurpose their
heritage, culture, livelihood and habitats through recreational values for tourists
while preserving their socio-culture and environment. The marketing arm of the
indigenous tourism should enhance the consciousness and appropriate recreational
value perceptions among the tourists before they visit. This will lead to ensure the
sustainable development in indigenous community villages, while enriching the
authentic experience and enhance satisfaction.
