Alternative Tourism in Sri Lanka

                     

           “Alternative tourism” is a kind of tourism, for those who are looking to visit a place in order to have a totally different experience. This type of tourism refers to experiencing a location from a point of view different from those available through mass tourism options. Alternative tourists travel with the wish of being immersed in the culture they are visiting rather with other tourists. Instead of using special tourist accommodation and facilities, they prefer to use or share the services of local population. In this way they get the opportunities to experience some aspects of their lives.

These kinds of tourists always prefer alternatives because they are very much concerned on the negative impacts which mass tourism brings to a destination. These kinds of trips are usually longer trips rather than mass trips and even though the duration's of these trips are longer, they sometimes may cost much cheaper because they do love to use the local accommodations rather than created comforts and also use local transportation like public buses ,trains etc rather than using private transportation. They focus on the local people because the purpose is to come to one’s own understanding of political, social and religious traditions.

Sri Lanka has a potential to become an alternative destination. It is a “subtle mix of ancient and modern, ritual and urban, led with local colour and vitality”. Alternative tourism in Sri Lanka concerns a variety of approaches: Sustainable Tourism, Eco-tourism, agro-tourism, community-based tourism, rural tourism.…

Sustainable or Responsible Tourism 

Sustainable or responsible tourism considers all components of development such as socio-cultural, economic and environmental, to ensure that the tourist activities respect the residents and natural resources, for a healthy and well-balanced growth. And it refers to the idea that tourism through any region should be an enriching activity for both the traveler and the host and it should not be to anyone’s harm or loss.

Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and unity building. Achieving sustainable tourism is a continuous process and it requires constant monitoring of impacts, introducing the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures whenever necessary.

Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is beneficial for the environment; it doesn’t only limit its ecological footprint, but it creates a positive impact on the local ecosystem by financing restoration operations or natural habitat conservation projects.

Sri Lankan ecotourism is a growing niche sector which provides the opportunity of enjoying multifaceted attractions such as the highest mountains, the longest sea beaches, the magnificent civilization, glorious traditions, artistic monuments, incredible diversity of landscapes, climates, flora and fauna, unparalleled bio-diversity, topographical variations etc. Ours is the ultimate in diversity, beauty and culture, all combined with one of the best treasures of the world a warm, friendly and smiling people. When you choose an ecotourism resort, you choose to preserve the environment, culture and heritage and benefit local communities who are the key custodians of natural resources and play an active and critical role in conserving valuable biodiversity.

Below is a video made by Yumika Hoskin , an established model, tv host and fashion stylist from Australia on Eco Tourism in Srilanka.

Agro-Tourism

Sri Lanka has a long history of agriculture which has been developed over a course of 2500 years. This includes ancient irrigation tanks, and plantations and paddy cultivation systems. While this is mainly appreciated by a niche market of agro-tourists, Sri Lanka is an ideal location to experience the agriculture as well as the way of life of the local people of Sri Lanka.

There are different types of agro tourism in Sri Lanka. They mainly focus about educational, recreational and income as well. Here are the main 7 categories of agro tourism in Sri Lanka;

-Food production (vegetable farms)

-Animal farms (fish farm)

-Markets and retail (annual festival)

-Plants and gardens (Greenhouse)

-Overnight stays (camping – farm vacation)

-Features (Angry cultural museum)

-Activities (Farm wedding)

A few other experiences you can take back with you while on an agro-tour include;

-Growing, harvesting and processing locally grown foods

-Cooking local food using local utensils and methods

-Experiencing lake fishing

-Buying locally produced crafts, clothes, and fresh agriculture products

Some popular destinations and hotels for Agro Tourism in Srilanka are , taking a village trek in Hiriwaduna ,"The Jetwing Kaduruketha" Hotel located in wellawaya, "The Other Corner" hotel located in Habarana and locations in Central,Uva and Southern provinces of the country.

Community Based Tourism

A type of tourism that involves the local population in tourist activities or involves the travelers in community activities to create bonds between visitors and visited, for a genuine intercultural experience.

Also, this kind of Tourism can be defined as ''sharing the natural resources of a local community with visitors from home and overseas for the sustainable benefit of that local community whilst conserving the natural environment and respecting the way of life.

It is responsible tourism where your money goes directly back into a local community to support local projects. Residents get an opportunity to build their business, receive tourists and in turn, you get to see attractions and immerse in a cultural experience.

 Rural Tourism

Rural tourism invites travellers to venture off the beaten path by residing outside of the metropolitan areas to diversify the beneficiaries of tourism revenues and alleviate the big cities’ overcrowding. It is a form of tourism taking place in rural areas or settlements, providing employment and income to local population, and offering individualized holiday packages to visitors. Rural tourism is based on accommodation service which is complemented by additional services/facilities relying on the local social, cultural and natural resources, which are exploited according to the principles of sustainable development.

Rural tourism is one of the few activities which can provide a solution to the problems in the rural sector – particularly, rising economic inequity, social discrimination and conflicts arising out of these, as well as differential and poor access to basic civic amenities and services. The development of a strong platform around the concept of rural tourism is definitely useful for a country like Sri Lanka, where almost 81% of the population resides in rural areas. Besides, there are other factors which are shifting the trend towards rural tourism like increasing levels of awareness, growing interest in heritage and culture and improved accessibility, and environmental consciousness. In the developed countries, this has resulted in a new style of tourism of visiting village settings to experience and live a relaxed and healthy lifestyle. This concept has taken the shape of a formal kind of Rural Tourism.

Rural tourism in Sri Lanka can be addressed firstly, to urban people living in a stressful environment and also to people with middle-income who need a change in daily routine. And secondly, it can also aim at foreigners who want to experience the rural life of Sri Lanka.Attraction of tourists in rural tourism activities is determined by the village community which means the involving in protecting the environment and using local resources regardless of their type.

As an island with rich natural resources and human capital, Sri Lanka has also been using Rural Tourism as an economic activity in rural areas like Meemure, Dambulla, Heeloya & Lakegala.

There are many advantages of practicing alternative tourism such as;

-We will be able to experience the nature and the fresh air

-We will get in touch with local culture and traditions and will learn how to respect them

-We will be able to experience the traditional culinary and healthy food

-Could enjoy affordable outdoor sports as opposed to lazy expensive tourist attractions

-We will receive an individual human treatment as opposed to an all-inclusive package

-Cost of the trips will be much lower rather than expensive tourist trips

-Supporting to preserve the nature by minimizing the pollution

-Supporting the local rural communities by giving business as opposed to big bucks industries

- Obtaining new unmatched experiences

There are many possible alternative approaches which allow to get out of the dominant mass tourism model. Beyond the economic issues, we must also consider the social and cultural dimensions, the relationship to the environment, the participation of host communities and develop sustainable tourism strategies with more significant economic benefits for the host country.

At the end of the day, the point is not to reject or favour a specific type of tourism over another, but to raise awareness of the impacts, both positive and negative, that tourism can have. We should always try to support local economy as much as possible and reducing carbon footprint should be at the heart of every traveller's concerns, out of respect for the hosts and for the planet. Travelling is a chance and an honour that is unfortunately not accessible to all humans, so it must come with its share of responsibilities.

Published By – Travel Hunters 
Tourism and Development 
BA(Hons) Travel and Tourism Management – London Metropolitan University