Identify Potentiality of Establishing an Ecotourism Region by Linking Horton Plains, Babarakanda and Lanka Water Falls

Abstract

Tourism is one of the biggest service industry with different aspects in the world. Ecotourismis present tendency with the concept of sustainability. It is a purposeful travel to natural areasto understand the culture and natural history of the environment taking care not to alter theintegrity of the ecosystem while producing economic opportunities that make conservation ofnatural resources beneficial to local people.

This study conducted to identify potentiality of creating ecotourism region by connectingHorton plains, Babarakanda and Lanka waterfalls. As sub objectives identify resourcesneeded to establish ecotourism region and ways of tourism service can improve in this region.In each district, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya two G.N divisions were selected as study areanamely Kalupahana, Weerakoongama and Loinan, Pattipola respectively. To tackle downabove objectives questionnaire survey was carried out for both villagers and local as well asforeign tourists. Sample size was 50 for villagers than 50 and 20 for local and foreign touristsrespectively. Chi square test and weighted overlay technique in ArcGIS used to analysecollected data. According to Pearson’s chi square test following relationships were identified:development in tourism have a relationship with economic development and regionaldevelopment in the area. As well to enhance opportunities of employment and income waysand also for develop infrastructures in study area with 0.001, 0.036, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.002significance levels respectively under the 95% confidence level. Roadmap, vegetation covermap and tourist site map were used to generate suitable ecotourism regions map. It revealedNorth, West and Southwest of study area were more suitable as ecotourism region because ofmany small waterfalls with large waterfalls such as Babarakanda and Lanka waterfallsbesides its vegetation cover and Horton plain’s biodiversity.77% of tourism attraction siteslocated this region while remaining locations scattered around the lower suitable areas. Studyarea support for tourist activities such as hiking, plant investigation, mountain climbing etc.Interconnectivity between tourist hot spots must develop and same time improvement ofinfrastructures and services must provide in order to have a productive ecotourism region.