Authors : AM Ramanayakage; Pasindu T Jayakody

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 4 - April

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25apr1263

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Abstract : The purpose of this research is the exploration of ecotourism and how this will help enhance sustainability in the tourism sector in Sri Lanka. This comes as a result of the diversity of ecosystems and biodiversity in the country and therefore ecotourism has the chance of offering ground breaking combination of tourism development and conservation. The study explores the role played by ecotourism in economic development, conservation of the environment and the communities’ welfare as well as the problems encountered in the sector. Secondary research was conducted with information collected from secondary sources such as Reports and publications from Sri Lankan Ministry of Tourism, other international organizations and publications existing academic research studies. This research study aims at discovering that ecotourism has assumed a central role as a component of sustainable tourism. As such, it strengthens the opportunity to develop a closer link between tourists and nature to appreciate the need for conservation of the species’ diversity. Nonetheless, hurdles like climate change, infrastructural deficits, and emergent need for enhanced legal frameworks may still trail ecotourism program, and offset the long-pitched architecture for sustainability. Implications of the barriers found in the study suggest government, local communities and tourism operators need to work together to minimize the barriers in order to fully harness the potential of ecotourism. The conclusion of this research is that planning and balanced policies are important to the development of Sri Lankan ecotourism in the context of the country’s overall tourism industry.

Keywords : Eco-Tourism; Sustainable Tourism; Community Engagagement.

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