A Study on the Potentials for Development of Tourism Activity in Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council Area

Abstract

Sri Lanka is identified as a one of the top ten world tourist destination in 2021. Nuwara Eliya, a city located at the mean-sea level of 1889 meters of upcountry commonly popular as Little England is a main tourists’ destinations which recorded overwhelming crowed in every year. Even though the city recorded overwhelming tourist arrival in every year, city is still depending on one or two flagship tourism events which organized by the local authority in every year. Non availability coordinated year-round event plan hinder the true tourism potential of the Nuwara Eliya and city is still not harvest its tourism potential at highest level. In this context, the purpose of this study to identity potential tourism activities that could further enhance the tourism industry of Nuwara Eliya. The population of the study includes tourist service providers based in Nuwara Eliya city limit. Respondents of the study select using convenience sampling method and met at their location. Data were collected via a semi structured interview. The method of analysis is qualitative in nature. The results of the analysis confirmed that street food culture, zip line adventure, and hiking are potential tourist activities for Nuwara Eliya which are in line with the Nuwara Eliya Urban Development Plan 2019-2030. Tourist service providers believes that coordinated implementation of these activities help to boost the tourism of the city of Nuwara Eliya. 

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Department of Estate Management and Valuation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Keywords: Tourism; Tourism activities; Potential Tourism Activities; Tourist attraction.