Abstract:
The tea industry in Sri Lanka faces a range of problems regarding productivity and
revenue generation. Studies have revealed that tea tourism is one of the niche
markets supporting the economic sustainability of the tea industry. Still, insufficient
accommodation is a significant internal barrier in practising tea tourism in the Hill
Country. Repurposing tea estate bungalows as an accommodation option has been
identified as an extra revenue-generating channel for the tea industry and to
overcome the inadequate accommodation services to practice tourism in Hill
Country. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the impediments and
strategies for repurposing the tea estate bungalows as an accommodation option for
tourism and a sustainable economic solution for the tea and tourism industries.
Accordingly, semi-structured interviews were conducted among the managerial
employees of tea estates using convenient sampling. Thematic analysis was used to
analyse the data. Results revealed the lack of resources, skillful staff, easy access, the
business scope for tourism, community awareness on tourism and additional
operational costs, disturbances to the planter’s personal life as the impediments for
repurposing tea estate bungalows for tourism accommodation. The findings of the
study are important in applying this concept to benefit both the tea and tourism
industries in Sri Lanka.
