CONSTRAINTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INGIRIYA

Abstract

Ingiriya is a developing town located in the western province of Sri Lanka. Between the administrative boundaries of Western province and Sabaragamuwa province, Ingiriya town has created as a nucleated settlement. The topography and the drainage pattern of the area have influenced for the attractive landscape created in Ingiriya. The river Kalu is the source of this drainage pattern. The metric map of the area clearly shows the rolling terrain and monadnocks or isolated hills to the eastward of Ingiriya. There are specific landscapes that have already attracted domestic tourists in the country. These landscapes are including Nachchimale, Madakada Aranya senasanaya, Paraithota, Dombagskanda forest reserve (Bodhinagala Aranya senasanaya) , Bodhinagala bird reserve, Horakele reserve, Kura uda ella and Mawak oya. Though these landscapes are attractive, have obtained a less attention value as tourist destinations. These landscapes have the potential to develop rural tourism in the area while expanding the area into a developed service area. However, the rural tourism has not highly raised in Ingiriya. Therefore it is necessary to identify the constraints affect the development of rural tourism in the area which blocks regional development. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the constraints on the development of rural tourism in Ingiriya. In order to fulfil the objective of the study, two sub-objectives were assessed too. The study has used a structured questionnaire survey for villagers to identify the constraints on rural tourism development. Water samples were collected to study the suitability of landscapes for tourism. Applying Leopold analysis method identified the most suitable landscapes for rural tourism in Ingiriya. SWOT analysis and Stakeholder analysis have also done to highlight the constraints where the stakeholder matrix prepared to identify the key performance roles. SPSS and Ms excel used to analyse collected data. Aesthetic landscape value analysed via Leopold analysis method and ranked the areas. Accordingly, Nachchimale, Paraithota, Mawak Oya and Bodhinagala were the first four most suitable landscapes for rural tourism destinations. Overall study, has identified Nachchimale as the most appropriate landscape for the development of rural tourism in Ingiriya. The negative behavioural aspect of villagers was significant and act as one of the main constraints to develop these areas for rural tourism. Because of the highly fragile environment and hermitage surrounding, it is necessary to conserve these landscapes without any disturbance. Less publicity and fewer quality services were another main constraints in Ingiriya. Both SWOT and Stakeholder analysis have revealed various constraints on the development of rural tourism. There was no any proper management plan for tourism in the area. As a result, some of the domestic tourist behaviors were not suitable for the society and the environment. Therefore the necessity of a rural tourism management plan was highly stressed with community participatory rural tourism management to change the behavioral aspect of both tourists and villagers. The most primary strategic activity was the proper publicity to disseminate the information on these destinations. The expansion and development of the service area also identified to develop these landscapes for rural tourism development.