Exploring the Implementation of Ecotourism and Environmental Sustainability Policies: A Case Study of the Hikkaduwa Coastal Area, Sri Lanka

Sammanfattning

This study examines the overview of how ecotourism and environmental sustainability policiesare being implemented in Sri Lanka's coastal region in Hikkaduwa. Although a big coastaltourism hub, Hikkaduwa's economy relies on beaches, coral reefs; marine tourist relatedactivities and local livelihoods are under growing pressure caused by unplanned development,pollution, reef degradation, weak local environmental management and visitors behaviour.This study uses a qualitative case study design to understand the implementation of formaltourism and environmental policies at destination level. Data were collected through analysisof relevant policy documents, government reports and tourism planning materials, togetherwith semi-structured interviews with four key stakeholders representing tourism regulation,coastal conservation, local government and local boat operations. It has been found that thereare multiple policy and management instruments related to coastal activities in Hikkaduwasuch as coastal permits, setback measures, environmental assessment, protected areamanagement, sustainable tourism and pollution-control measures. However, implementation isinconsistent. The major problems are low monitoring, lack of institutional coordination, lackof staffing and funding, non-uniform compliance of the tourism business, poverty, reef damage,and problems with tourist behavior. The study thus concludes that it is not a lack of policies,but rather the implementation gap, and that this gap is one of the primary concerns. In order tobe effective, the implementation needs greater inter-agency coordination, regular monitoring,increased participation of stakeholders, greater increased accessibility of tourism operators inthe local community and increased awareness and access to practical support provided to localtourism operators. The study adds to the knowledge on the development of destination-levelsustainability governance in the coastal regions of Sri Lanka and emphasizes the need forintegration of conservation, tourism developments and livelihoods that balance these issueswell. Keywords: Ecotourism, Environmental Sustainability, Policy Implementation, Hikkaduwa,Coastal Tourism, Sri Lanka, Sustainable Tourism Governance