Residents’ Perception towards Beach Tourism Development in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to explore the relationship between residents’ perception of beach tourism and their support for beach tourism development. Specifically, the study examined the effects of residents’ perceptions on community participation and their support for beach tourism development. The mediation effect of community participation on residents’ perception of beach tourism and support for beach tourism was also investigated. Study Design: This positivistic quantitative study was carried out based on the conceptual model developed on the theoretical foundation of Doxey's Irridex model and Social Exchange theory. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Polhena beach, a village away from 160 km of Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka, during the period of March - September 2018. Methodology: A total of 467 residents has been selected through the random sampling method. The model was analyzed based on the reflective research guidelines of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Results: It was confirmed that the perception of residents caused a significant impact on their community participation and support for beach tourism development. However, community participation does not create a meditation effect on support for beach tourism development. As such results reviled that support for tourism development is an outcome of the positive perceptions of the residents and they were also willing to join activities aimed at further tourism development. In this context, the study suggested that education and awareness programs on beach tourism would be an avenue to ensure the support of residents for beach tourism development. Conclusion: The finding of the research validates the relationship between residents’ perception and support for beach tourism development. In this context, tourism development authorities need to design programmes to improve the positive perception of residents to ensure their support for beach tourism development. The results provide insight for policymakers of tourism to implement the strategic programme on residents ‘perception and their support of beach tourism development.