Sri Lanka is an agricultural state and agribusiness plays a critical function in the economic system of the state lending 12 GDP and 38 employment chances ( Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 2010 ) . Majority of the population of the state is in rural countries and the support of most of these people is straight or indirectly related with agribusiness. However, agribusiness now has reached a comparatively stagnation state of affairs due to many jobs in the sector such as high cost of production, low productiveness of farm lands, hapless selling and processing installations for agricultural merchandises. Because of these jobs, most of the people are traveling out of agribusiness and migrating for urban topographic points happening occupations. This creates many socio-economic jobs in rural every bit good as urban countries. Hence, adding excess income generating activities either through new endeavors on the farm or off-farm employment to prolong the field of agribusiness would surely heighten the economic system of rural people. One of these activities is agritourism that can assist to happen excess income, employment, and economic stableness on their bing assets in a sustainable manner.
Agribusiness is the most familiar industry for the rural people in the state and besides barriers to entry the agritourism are reasonably low as in comes under Small and Medium Enterprise ( SMEs ) . Small-scale farms already have many of the assets that visitants seek. It can absorb the excess labor available in rural countries. When these factors are concerned, agritourism is extremely suited for Sri Lanka.
5.3.1 Agritourism development in Sri Lanka
Looking at the current state of affairs in Sri Lanka, it is non specifically recognized for agritourism as a portion of the Tourss. The authorities publicity of the field is comparatively really low comparison to other touristry sectors. Concentrating to presently available agritourismA options in Sri Lanka, some of the major attractive forces are the in private owned farms such as CIC Farm ( Windsor park ) in Hingurakgoda, Paradise Farm Kitulgala, New Zealand Farm Nuwara-Eliya, Ceylinco Fruit Farm Midigama are the celebrated 1s. Few local Community-based agro touristry and Individual Operationss are besides in practiced in a little graduated table ( Malkanthi and Routray, 2012 ) .
However, in the state, the potency for agritourism is high. There is a good agribusiness sector in the state with attractive rural landscape. Besides assortment in agricultural clime assisting to cultivate different harvests in different parts of the state, the state ‘s complex paddy-cultivation system, tea, gum elastic, coconut, fruit agriculture and gardening are some illustrations of this diverse agritourism potency ( Malkanthi and Routray, 2012 ) . The state has an agricultural heritage which is 2,500 old ages old. Visitors non merely larn about modern agricultural procedures but besides appreciate traditional methods employed many centuries ago. The ancient irrigation systems comprise more than 25,000 armored combat vehicles runing from little H2O organic structures to those that are prodigious, such as the Parakrama Samudra in Polonnaruwa. The chance to entwine agritourism with heritage touristry will decidedly add more spirits to the niche-market experience. ( Galappatti, 2012 ) .
hypertext transfer protocol: //lmd.lk/2012/01/01/sustainable-tourism-3/
With the terminal of the war, proviso of basic substructure such as route installations, clean H2O, and electricity for many rural countries is now traveling on successfully by the authorities. State is economically and political stalls and now peaceable. Furthermore, a big figure of local and foreign visitants travel across the state yearly. Most of these visitants can be easy attracted if the operations are managed good. Resources rich civilization and cultural diverseness, geographical features, and socio-cultural entities, smiling faces, visitant friendly behavioral form, and delightful culinary would basically be helpful in advancing agritourism in rural Sri Lanka ( Senanayaka an Wimalaratana, 2010 ) . Hence, there is a possibility to give the tourers a wider pick in Agritourism in the state.
5.4 Tourism policies in Sri Lanka
Tourism is a critical country in the policy model of a state. The present authorities has identified touristry as an effectual drive force in the state ‘s socio economic development. The plan ‘s vision for the touristry sector is “ to do Sri Lanka the first leisure finish in the South Asiatic Region ” ( Ministry of economic Development, 2010 ) . The plan believes that the human resources, natural and cultural gifts values and ethos will be cardinal in transforming Sri Lanka into a Centre of excellence and offer tourists the highest values of reliable experiences in its alone scene. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.sltda.gov.lk/
Tourism policy in Sri Lanka has a rather long history. At the early phase ( 1960-1980 ) the policies were formulated concentrating the development of mass touristry in the state. Since it was a large investing to run a tourer operation with tonss of installations, ordinary people could n’t make it and so, most of the benefits of touristry in this period had gone to the flush society such as chief hotel proprietors and circuit operators. But, with the debut of sustainable touristry construct in 1980 ‘s, a turning point of the touristry policies of the state took placed. As a consequence of it, rural touristry, ecotourism, nature touristry like niche touristry operations were initiated doing the chance to prosecute in touristry by the local community and acquire some benefits.
The Development Policy Framework of the Government of Sri Lanka is committed to a sustainable Tourism Development Strategy. Protection of the environment and distribution of economic benefits to the larger transverse subdivision of the society are cardinal constituents of this overall vision. It aims at positioning Sri Lanka as a theoretical account tourer finish profiting from the state ‘s natural advantages of holding the highest biodiversity in Asia backed by a strong civilization, historical artifacts, alien beaches, green environment and friendly people all of which are solid edifice blocks for touristry development.
The Sri Lanka Tourist Board was the primary bureau of charge in promotional and organisational duties of the tourer industry in Sri Lanka until 2005. It was the chief regulative and administrative authorization of touristry installation development and activates in Sri Lanka as per the Tourism Development Act No.14 of 1968. Under this Act, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board approves registries and licence all tourer constitutions and proposed developments. In the twelvemonth 2005, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority ( SLTDA ) was established under Section 2 of the touristry Act No. 38, as the vertex organic structure for Sri Lanka Tourism, replacing the Sri Lanka Tourist Board. Currently, Sri Lank Tourism Development Authority is dedicated towards change overing Sri Lanka to be Asia ‘s prima touristry finish by developing diverse, alone and choice touristry services and merchandises that would do Sri Lanka as a alone finish in the universe. Acknowledging and developing tourer particular, alone merchandises and services, fixing and put to deathing Tourism Development Guidelines, and helping and implementing the legal and executive procedure for new services and merchandises development are the chief duties of it ( Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 2010 ) .
Exiting programs for the development of touristry industry in the state are ; Tourism Master Plan, Sri Lanka in 1993, Southwest Coast touristry and community substructure development survey in 2000, Ecotourism Development Strategy of Sri Lanka in 2003 and Sustainable Tourism Master Plan, Northwest Coast Sri Lanka in 2006-2007 ( Government of Sri Lanka, 2007 ) . The ‘Tourism Development Strategy 2010-2016, the Future-Development Policy Framework is implementing in the state successfully. The authorities believes the multiplier consequence of touristry development in formation of employment chances and distribution of wealth through a assortment of economic activities preponderantly in the SME sector, taking the advantage of SMEs ‘ being able to associate micro endeavors from one side and big scale corporate sector on the other side. The touristry sector has been identified as one of the cardinal sectors impeling the state ‘s economic growing. Harmonizing to the nucleus doctrine of the present maestro program for touristry development, the ultimate donees of touristry development scheme should be the people of the state: the husbandmans who supply rice, veggies and fruit, the fishermen who deliver the gimmick of the twenty-four hours, the craftsmen who produce keepsakes, the ushers who escort the visitants and the immature work forces and adult females functioning in the industry with the alone Sri Lankan cordial reception.
5.4.2 Schemes involved
There is a great range for advancing touristry peculiarly within the part due to historic and cultural ties of Sri Lanka with the South Asia, Middle-East and Far-East. Sri Lanka is portion of a part which includes already industrialised economic systems such as Japan, Korea, and Singapore and quickly emerging economic systems such as India and China which are capable of changing the economic landscape of the universe during the following few decennaries. Sri Lanka besides with its alone geographical location, diverseness, quality human resources, peace and stableness has all the ingredients in topographic point to play a cardinal function in the regional development as a fast emerging market economic system in Asia ( Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, 2010 ) .
The ‘Tourism Development Strategy 2010-2020 ‘ is turn toing the wider of import issues related to the industry including the authorities policy, capacity and manpower build-up demands, substructure development, bettering service criterions, selling and publicities, ordinances, guidelines, public dealingss, tourer safety and betterments to domestic touristry ( Table 5.4 ) . In this 10 twelvemonth maestro program, several of import schemes that are traveling to be covered are making an environment conducive for touristry, pulling the right type of tourers to the state, guaranting that going tourers are happy, bettering domestic touristry and lending towards bettering the planetary image of Sri Lanka ( Tourism Development scheme in Sri Lanka, 2010 ) .
Table 5.4 Summary of Tourism Policy schemes and marks
Beginning: The Department of National Planning of Sri Lanka, 2010
5.4.3 Policy Framework to Support Investors and the Industry
The authorities has addressed several policy related issues that are impacting the industry such as, ( a ) the Restoration of a simple revenue enhancement government to obtain benefits for the stakeholder ( B ) simplification of licensing processs to do easy and speedy process of acquiring licence ( degree Celsius ) decrease of the high electricity duties to get the better of to cost of touristry operations ( vitamin D ) fusion of the regulative environment and making a individual authorization for touristry publicity to do efficient and effectual direction mechanism, ( vitamin E ) making chances to advance shopping of internationally reputed branded merchandises and amusement to heighten the quality criterions, ( degree Fahrenheit ) simplification of the investing blessing procedure by puting up of a “ One Stop Shop ” for touristry related investings to actuate the investors, ( g ) streamlining the procedure of estranging authorities land for touristry development undertakings to get the better of the infinite job, ( H ) pulling internationally reputed tourer hotels to heighten the criterion of the industry and, above all ( I ) environmentally friendly, clean-city construct for urban development to do metropoliss attractive for the visitants,
( hypertext transfer protocol: //srilanka.travel/catalog/view/theme/default/image/pdf/English.pdf, 2012 )
5.4.4 Ecotourism policy in Sri Lanka
There is no separate policy for agritourism or rural touristry. They are still under the ecotourism policy guidelines. Ecotourism policy was formalized in the recent yesteryear and hence, it has a really short history. With the enlargement of the ecotourism sector and the related establishments, in twelvemonth 2003 authorities has taken the initial measure to develop the ecotourism sector with the aid of the Norse Technical Assistance plan and prepared the papers “ ecotourism policy guidelines ” . It is a elaborate papers and all policy facets sing ecotourism have been explained clearly. The chief characteristics of the policies have been summarized in the tabular array 5.5. This national ecotourism policy outlines the rules, aims and actions that necessary to ease the development of a sustainable touristry industry that contributes to resource preservation while optimising economic benefits for the current and future coevalss of the state. The ordinances have been compiled as to assist all those involved in touristry in Sri Lanka to guarantee that the industry is developed, managed, and regulated in a sustainable mode, to allow criterions. By foregrounding the nucleus demands of ecotourism, it is intended that the ordinances will enable be aftering organic structures to do just and informal appraisal of proposed ecotourism development, activities and installations ( Sri Lanka Tourist Board, 2003 )
.
5.4.5 Need for Agritourism policy
As mentioned before, agritourism is similar to ecotourism in several ways. Both are rural touristry sectors and niche touristry operations. They have really close links with local occupants, natural environment, rural development and local authoritiess. So that, most of the facets of agritourism development such as constitution, direction, can be handled by the ecotourism policy in the state. However, when agritourism is concerned, it has a strong forward and backward links with one of the large sectors “ agribusiness ” . Agriculture is the anchor of the economic system of Sri Lanka. The ecotourism policy is unable to manage the agricultural side of agritourism such as agricultural land direction, loans and credits, preparation and instruction, quality control of farm merchandises, selling of agricultural goods and services etc. As per the present statistics and future appraisals of visitants in the state in the chapter 6.3, there will be a good demand for agritourism in close hereafter. Furthermore, as explained in the chapter 6.2, the present visitants are non satisfied with many properties of agritourism operations due to hapless degrees. Furthermore, harmonizing to the chapter 6.3 sing the local occupants ‘ perceptual experience on the part of agritourism for the local development is non so high. In this context in order to hold a better repletion, it is of import to hold a separate set of policy for agritourism development. Fortunately, the current authorities has realized the importance of agritourism and it has been included in the hereafter development docket ( Ministry of Finance and Planning, 2010 ) . Therefore, it is seasonably of import to pay attending on of import policies by now to actuate the agritourism development in the state
Table 5.4: Ecotourism Policy in Sri Lanka
Aspect
Description
Principles of Ecotourism
1. Minimize & A ; relieve negative environmental, societal & amp ; cultural impacts.
2. Optimize grosss for industry and for re-invest in preservation.
3. Optimize the active engagement of & A ; just distribution of economic benefits to local communities.
4. Educate visitants and citizens about the importance of conserving Sri Lanka ‘s natural & A ; cultural heritages.
5. Promote ethical behavior & A ; duties towards the nature & A ; cultural environment.
6. Pull off operations such that there are long term benefits to the resource, industry and the local community.
7. Deliver a high quality, value-for-money, enlighten and participatory natural resource and culture-based experience for visitants.
8. Promote travel in a spirit of humanity, regard and larning approximately local hosts, their civilization and the natural environment.
Aims of ecotourism
1. to advance & amp ; ease the development of ecotourism sites, activities and installations in a mode that is consistent with the rules of ecotourism.
2. to educate all stakeholders about the construct of ecotourism, the economic chances that it offers and the actions that are required to develop a successful industry in Sri Lanka.
3. to spread out the scope of ecotourism merchandises, services and installations available in Sri Lanka.
4. to increase the figure of Sri Lankans involved in ecotourism and ease the development of community-owned and managed ecotourism endeavors.
5. to lend to and act upon a more sustainable signifier of touristry in Sri Lanka, through a diverse scope of steps: inducements, instruction, guidelines, ordinances and selling.
6. to lend to preservation of natural eco-systems.
Ecotourism policy intercessions
1. In the planning and ordinance of the ecotourism sector.
2. In developing, managing and operating ecotourism installations and activities.
3. In ecotourism at natural and cultural heritage sites.
4. In Community/local economic development.
5. In preservation, instruction and consciousness and
6. In Ecotourism execution.
Beginning: Ministry of Tourism, Sri Lanka, 2008
5.4.6 Agritourism Policies in Other States
The development of agritourism raises significant policy issues. Two grounds for this are that agritourism may bring forth important outwardnesss and that it is of considerable economic importance as an activity. Development policies are determinations taken by the authorities for the betterment of peculiar sector/aspect of a state and agritourism development policies are determinations drawn by the authorities for the betterment of the agritourism sector of a state. Many states that are carry oning agritourism have developed agritourism development policies harmonizing to their ain context. Many authorities bureaus have introduced policies and plans with the purpose of promoting agritourism development. A broad assortment of authorities Torahs and ordinances are indispensable for the smooth operation of agritourism Operations and sustainable development in hereafter. After reexamining the many policies and plans aimed at agritourisrm development, support can be categorized into three countries: fiscal AIDSs, proficient information and selling schemes. These wide schemes tend to advance agritourism development by impacting either supply or demand.
Fiscal Aids
Incentive policies and plans directed at increasing agritourism development have been launched in many states ( Hjalager, 1996 ; Frater, 1983 ) . In Britain, the Farm Diversification Grant Scheme came into consequence in 1987 and provided fiscal aid to farm operators wishing to put up an accessory concern on or next to their farm ( Gasson, 1988 ) . This policy was aimed at keeping the husbandman ‘s income while the authorities reduced support monetary values for agribusiness merchandises. Unfortunately, the policy did non turn out to be successful, since many farm operators chose non to take part in the plan ( Ilbery, 1992 ; Gasson, 1988 ; Winter, 1987 ) . Fiscal aid for agritourism development continues to be provided throughout many parts of Europe ( Williams, 1996 ; Greffe, 1994 ; Frater, 1985 ) . In France, husbandmans can obtain grants or loans to finance the transition of farm edifices ( Greffe, 1994 ) . In West Germany, fiscal assistance is available for agritourism installation development within the context of small town reclamation and regional development plans ( Williams, 1996 ) . Authorities in Portugal, Belgium, Spain and ltaly besides provide fiscal aid for rural development. The Irish authorities created the Operational Programme for Rural Development as a mechanism to diversify the rural economic system ( Williams, 1996 ) . Initially this policy met with limited success, until it was modified in 1991 to spread out its fiscal support and accept a wider scope of participants ( Williams, 1996 ; Reid et al. , 1993
Technical Information
Another type of action taken by governments is the proviso of proficient information and audience services to farm operators. In the United States, the Small Business Administration organized consultative and preparation services ( Greffe, 1994 ) . Workshops are devoted to such topics as retail trade, home-based concerns, publicity of tourer merchandises and pull offing concerns in the cordial reception sector ( Gustafson, 1997 ) . In peculiar, the province of New York has developed several publications on how to open and run a farm based bed and breakfast concern. Governments in this province have besides initiated conferences for agritourism fanners. These Sessionss focused on issues such as “ promoting and trading your concern, “ insurance and legalities ” , “ doing your concern multi-seasonal and “ thought like a tourer ” ( Williarns, 1996 ) . In certain European states, the systematic labeling of agritourism concerns has become a primary aim for some governments. Onicials in France, Germany and Austria have developed a national system to guarantee high criterions amongst al1 agritourism operators ( Williams, 1996 ; Greffe, 1994 ) . The guidelines used by governments are really elaborate and are strongly enforced. Many states have organized information through preparation Sessionss. The Nordic states have responded to the demands of agricultural universities by supplying classs through universities and colleges ( Greffe, 1994 ) . In Austria, the Farm Holiday Association provides preparation Sessionss on touristry tendencies, selling and gross revenues, investings and public dealingss. These services are provided for both the farm operators every bit good as staff members ( Embacher, 1994 ) . German functionaries offer developing Sessionss to local farm operators which focus on the demands of paying invitees ( Williams, 1996 ) . In Wales, a specific plan has been set up, “ Geting into Rural Tourism, which is intended to develop people in the direction of paying invitees ( Greffe, 1994 ) .
Selling Schemes
In many parts of the universe, authorities bureaus are seeking to bridge the spread between agritourism concerns and their possible clients by offering selling support. Promotion could include such schemes as the development of booklets and besides engagement in touristry trade shows. In Belgium, it is the Office de Promotion Touristique that assumes this selling function ( Greffe, 1994 ) . It is the Austrian Farm Holiday Association that promotes agritourism in Austria. This association is a w-operative selling organisation which links single farm concerns on a regional, provincial and federal degree ( Embacher, 1994 ; Bramwell, 1994 ) . In France, the Gites De France Services, Logis de France Service and the WF Tourisme were al1 created for advertisement and selling intents ( Greffe, 1994 ) . The federal and province authoritiess in Germany are instrumental in advancing farm-based adjustments, particularly for the little and moderate-sized farms. ( Oppermann, 1996 ) . The Australian State Tourism Industry Association plays an intricate function in marketing and advancing host farms ( AFACT, 1997 ) . Finally, in New York State, the publicity and selling of host farms is accomplished through Farm Tour booklets ( Hilchey, 1993 ) .
5.4.7 Issues and Challenges of the Agritourism sector in Sri Lanka
First, strength, failings, chances and menaces of agritourism were analyzed the operators point of position. After that, these factors were besides discussed with cardinal sources and local authorities officers of the country to analyze them in different point of positions to acquire a complete image of it ( Table 5.5 ) . Finally chief challenges ( failings and menaces ) were clearly identified.
Table 5.5: Swot Analysis for policy related issues of agritourism utilizing Operators, Key Informants and Local Government Officers
Strengths
Handiness of farm land/s for the operators.
Use of traditional cognition and accomplishments in agriculture and agritourism activities.
Ability to utilize household labor
Ability to incorporate with other touristry sectors and humanistic disciplines and trades industry.
Positive attitude and enthusiasm of the operators
Failings
Largely little size farms
Problems on ownership of some farm lands
Less assortment in supply of agritourism
Lack of cognition on foreign linguistic communications ( particularly English ) of operators
Lack of necessary accomplishments
Poor degree of processing of farm merchandises
Problems with quality control of goods and services
Limited range for direct gross revenues of the green goods
Poor promotion and publicity of operations
Opportunities
Natural scenic beauty, clean environment and attractive clime in farming countries
Handiness of human resource ( labor ) for farm and touristry work.
Some support form authorities and some NGOs for the operations ( recognition facilities/ developing plans ) .
Support from local people ( community engagement ) .
Since agritourism is acquiring popular in the universe, raising demand and possible for enlargement.
Up approaching supportive substructure development enterprises at national and provincial degrees.
Menaces
Lack of organisation, a responsible authorization for development, selling, facilitation and ordinance.
Inaccessibility of a common agritourism development fund at local degree
Competition among agritourism operations
Lack of systematic revenue enhancement for agritourism operations
Weak direction of negative impacts.
Poor distribution of positive impacts
Tourism development by operators simply focused on income coevals.
Poor degree of substructure installations.
Insufficient authorities intercession
Monopoly of circuit operators.
Lack of stakeholder coaction.
Political influences
Low figure of visitants
Lack of community engagement and engagement preparedness due to low socio-economic conditions.
Insufficient capacity of local community to take portion in agritourism development
successfully.
Inaccessibility of insurance policy for many finishs
Lack of research in agritourism
There are important challenges confronting by the agritourism sector at present. This requires designation direction attack to come up with solutions resulted from a clear strategic thought procedure. Further, to to the full recognize the chances guaranting common benefits through touristry, capitalise on strengths, understanding shared duty of industry stakeholders and communicates it suitably anticipating strategic committedness from the industry.
5.4.8 Policy Suggestions for Agritourism Development in Sri Lanka
Policy preparation is a systematic procedure. Identification of policy end, preparation of policy aims based on the policy ends, understanding of policy action for each policy aims and designation of scheme for each and every policy action is the general process. When a policy is formulated, it is really of import to follow all the stairss of the procedure to hold accurate policies.
The policy end of this survey was to make the agritourism development in the state. Harmonizing to the SWOT analysis, a figure of challenges ( failings and menaces ) of agritourism development were identified. In order to get the better of these challenges, three wide policy aims were drawn as agritourism development, visitant satisfaction and community development. Under each policy aim, relevant jobs, suited policy suggestions and policy scheme for each and every policy suggestion were formed. Several treatments with university lectors were conducted in this respects. Consequences are present in the ( Table 5.6 ) .
5.4.8.1 Broad Policy Objectives of the Development of Agritourism Sector
a. Agritourism Development in the State
Agritourism will be able to convey some support for life and prosperity of the state that is capable of sound economic chances easing incorporate development. It may necessitate minimum extra investing and may use extra capacity of labor, capital, land, and natural resources. There are possible benefits of agritourism for local agribusiness and rural communities. Tourists bring in money to local communities that keep rural communities alive and comfortable. Partnering of touristry and the green industry will assist make and beef up rural economic sciences.
B. Visitor Satisfaction in Agritourism
Tourist satisfaction chiefly reflected the service quality and is important to the continued viability of any service concern, including agritourism concerns. Therefore, consideration on the facet is of import to successful finish selling because it influences the pick of finish, the ingestion of merchandises and services, and the determination to return. Consideration should be on local and non local visitant satisfaction. It is critical to understand the countries such as how do visitants measure their satisfaction with tourer attractive forces every bit good as the factors act uponing visitant satisfaction.
c. Community Development and Agritourism
It is obvious that the diverse communities that involve in agritourism seek carnival wagess for their engagement, committedness, and resources deployed for development. The proposed agritourism development should concentrate on this facet and be sensible for presenting such wagess for the communities who actively take portion in every facet of agritourism from be aftering and development to operations.
Table 5.6: Policy Goals and Respective Policy Suggestions and Schemes
Policy aim
Issues and challenges
Policy suggestion/s
( at different authorities degrees )
Relevant Policy Schemes
Policy objective 1
Agritourism development
Farm lands are little in size
Provision of lands for destitute agritourism operators by the national authorities
Distribution or long term leasing of authorities lands
Provision of entree to public lands around the finish
Introduction of Community-based agritourism for the husbandmans
Networking of little scale agritourism operators
Problems in the ownership of some farm lands
Provision of ownership to the operators by the national authorities
Provision of existent ownership or user right.
Avoid land differences.
Lack of capital for agritourism development
Promotion of fiscal support systems by the national authorities
Loans at grant rate for medium and graduated table husbandmans
Loans at normal involvement rate for large-scale operators
Lack of cognition and accomplishments on agriculture direction
Provision of needed instruction and preparation, information engineering and related extension services for relevant forces by the provincial authoritiess
Workshops, seminars, consciousness plans, talks on agritourism development and selling should be conducted in suited clip continuances
Inaccessibility of a responsible authorization for development, facilitation and ordinance of agritourism
Formation of an Agritourism Management Group for relevant states by the provincial authoritiess
Agritourism direction group should include representatives of all the classs of stakeholders and it should be the responsible organic structure for organizing, development, selling, facilitation and ordinance of agritourism activities.
Low figure of visitants due to hapless degree of publicity and selling of agritourism
Formation of marketing schemes by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
National authorities supported advertisement and publicities
Marketing via web sites, face book, attractive booklets, Tourism trade shows
Motivational bundles for different seasons ( school holidaies, Christmas, new twelvemonth ) every bit good as different market sections like authorities officers, school kids, private sector workers, retired people etc.
Inaccessibility of a common fund for agritourism development
Formation of common fund at regional degree by Agritourism Management Group of the State
Initiation of an association of agritourism operators and set up a fund, utilizing member fees & A ; revenue enhancements. Other than that petition for contributions, NGO ” s support, authorities grants etc.
Lack of processing of agricultural merchandises
Promotion of processing of agricultural touristry merchandises by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Conduct one-year competitions and award ceremonials for production of possible agricultural touristry merchandises in the farm land.
Creation of the competition among agritourism operations
Decrease of the competition among agritourism operations by change overing them auxiliary topographic points by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Motivate to better singularity of the finish. Can choose the best finish of the twelvemonth.
Over usage of some agritourism operations
Advice to follow the regulation of transporting capacity by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Suitable figure of tickets/day
bound the gap hours/day
Adjust the gap days/ month
Arrange the figure of months/ seasons/ twelvemonth
Lack of systematic revenue enhancement for agritourism operations
Formation of proper revenue enhancement process for agritourism operations by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Annual enrollment of agritourism operations
Impose revenue enhancement based on the graduated table of operation.
Weak control of negative environmental impacts of agritourism
Decrease the negative environmental impacts and application of environmental protection steps with the aid of Agritourism Management Group of the State
Estimate the cost of impact and add it to the cost of the good or service ( user wage scheme )
Follow the sustainable touristry development guidelines like organic agriculture, cut down, reuse, and recycle of resources
Monopoly of circuit ushers.
Formation of codification of moralss for circuit ushers by the Agritourism Management Group of the state
List of Department of State and non make to the circuit ushers
Political influences for the operators.
Formation of codification of moralss for politicians by the Agritourism Management Group of the state
List of Department of State and non make to the circuit ushers
Lack of stakeholder coaction.
Agritourism direction group
Awareness plans and formation of links among stakeholders.
Problem of seasonality in agritourism
Promotion of agritourism in off seasons by the Agritourism Management Group of the state
Organization of particular off-seasonal bundles for mark classs of visitants.
Inaccessibility of Insurance policy for many finishs
Formation of suited Insurance policy for agritourism operations by the national authorities
Different suited insurance policies by authorities or semi-government insurance companies
Lack of research in agritourism
Agreement of installations to carry on research in agritourism by Agritourism Management Group of the state
Link with universities and research Stationss and behavior seasonably of import research on of import facets of agritourism
Poor degree in substructure installations in agrutourism operation countries
Development of substructure installations with the coaction of agritourism operators, local community, local, provincial and the national authorities
Develop rural roads. Supply new/more coachs, coach end point, auto, taxis, hare autos, rail ways and trains.
Continuous H2O supply by protecting natural beginnings of H2O such as springs, Wellss
Electrification of countries holding agritourism operations
Safety and protection of visitants need to be developed utilizing nomadic constabularies, Hotline Numberss.
Health installations need to be strengthen maintaining contacts with a medical centre or medical officer
Banking installations should be developed via nomadic bank, authorised traders etc
Policy objective 2
Visitor satisfaction
Lack of quality control of the merchandises and services
Formation of quality control mechanism specially for sensitive issues such as hygiene and sanitation by the Agritourism Management Group of the state
Provide preparation, instruction, accreditation plans
Introduce quality slandered for goods & A ; services. Approval of the quality by recognized boards or organisations. Rating of finishs based on quality criterions.
Lack of new touristry merchandises and merchandises variegation and direct selling of merchandises
Motivation of operators for value extra chances for merchandise development and direct selling activities by the Agritourism Management Group of the state
Awards, certifications for manufacturers
Trainings and workshops
Short length of stay owing to low figure of touristry activities
Introduction of new compatible touristry activities by the Agritourism Management Group of the state
Encourage operators to develop, enhance and keep more and more possible agricultural and non-agricultural plans.
Provision of pre and post tour stuffs. Hosting cultural public presentations.
Policy objective 3
Community development
Lack of community engagement and engagement preparedness
Strengthen the nexus between agritourism and community development by advancing benefits of agritourism through formation of forward and backward linkages by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Local occupants ‘ engagement in planning, forming, execution, rating of agrutourism operations. Allotment of common resources for agritourism and distribution of benefit for bulk
Facilitate to set up profitable links and partnerships between communities who are engaged in agritourism and agritourism operators and other stakeholders through wider sharing of positive impacts through the creative activity and care of societal substructures.
Lack of higher degree occupation chances for local occupants.
Promotion of paid occupation chances for local occupants by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
More occupation chances are for local occupants. Ensure minimal pay for labour. Income & A ; occupation chances for adult females every bit good.
Insufficient capacity of local community to take portion in agritourism development successfully.
Authorization of community who are interested in engagement in agritourism by the Agritourism Management Group of the Province with aid of national authorities
Promote human resource development of local community to supply the needed work force through instruction and preparation.
Capacity edifice of them.
Insufficient authorities intercession
Agreement of periodic progress meetings with the national and provincial authoritiess and petition for necessary installations by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Explain the importance of agritourism and petition for necessary support
Irresponsible behaviour of some visitants
Formation of responsible codification of behaviour for agritourism visitants by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
List of codification of moralss for visitants
Monetary flows and income escapes form the country
Introduction of ethical ingestion construct to the visitants by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Use of local merchandises and services at a higher degree in finishs. Local manufacturers and providers can be motivated.
Poor part of agritourism for local development
Introduction of Cooperate Social Responsibility ( CSR ) for the agritourism operators by the Agritourism Management Group of the State
Support for community development plans in the country.
As explained before, enlargement of agritourism should be given high precedence to beef up it to acquire high potency to lend for the socio-economic development. Hence, it is indispensable to set up an expressed policy to heighten quality and harmonious of agritourism enabling its diverse stakeholders to take portion in the advancement successfully in an orderly and disciplined mode. Furthermore, agritourism development should be an result of planned and coordinated attempt of public, private, non- authorities organisations, and the community.
Stimulates inter-sartorial linkages ( such as art and trade, bungalow industries, autochthonal medical specialty and local civilization ) and multiplier effects interactions among invitees and host community that leads to portion benefits, stuff, societal, and personal demand to be developed. Public sector engagement is necessary as political will go an of import dimension in policy and planning. This engagement lies on the countries such as supplying public public-service corporations, facilitation, research & A ; instruction, finish selling, coordination, planning, funding, ordinance, commanding and monitoring.
Benefits of agritourism development should make local communities. The communities may affect either straight or indirectly in agritourism development of the state. This engagement must be encouraged and facilitated as certain communities require capacity betterments. The necessary mechanisms must decently be placed for constructing consciousness on possible impacts in both positive and negative ways. Arrange for unique and specific agritourism attractive forces foregrounding the societal compatibility, cultural acceptableness, environmental friendly, economical feasible signifiers of development that encourages better apprehension and instruction through trial. Agritourism development can be used to prolong the growing on the long tally through gradual development in order to further better adoptability and optimum use of rural resources aiming for better rural development.
5.5 Chapter Summary
Sri Lanka is a beautiful state in South Asia and it is celebrated for its touristry for several decennaries as it has a favorable state of affairs for touristry industry. There are a batch of touristry natural and adult male made attractive forces in the state. Although there was an informal direction of the industry until 1960 ‘s, after constitution of Sri Lanka Tourist Board in 1966, there was a good direction and development. In this prided, chief accent was paid to develop the mass touristry sector. With the development of the industry, a important part was at that place for the national development. With the debut of sustainable touristry construct in 1980 ‘s, touristry industry of the state was expanded due to establishment of niche touristry such as ecotourism, nature touristry, civilization touristry etc.
However, 1983- 2009 was a bad period in the touristry industry of the state as there was a civil war. Tourism industry collapsed in many countries due to miss of demand. Again with the stoping of the war, now touristry is developing quickly. Government of Sri Lanka has paid really high attending to develop the industry as a chief beginning of national income. Not merely that, but besides present authorities has indentified the potency of touristry as a really good rural development scheme in acquiring sustainable development. Therefore, several mass and rural touristry development undertakings and programmes have been launch with appropriate policies. Though agritourism besides has a important attending, same as other rural touristry sectors, still it is under ecotourism sector. As there is a good potency to develop agritourism in rural countries, suited agritourism policy will be extremely utile.
When measuring the touristry policy in Sri Lanka, it has a rather long history. At the early phase ( 1960-1980 ) the policies were formulated concentrating the development of mass touristry in the state. Since it was a large investing to run a tourer operation with tonss of installations, ordinary people could n’t make it and so, most of the benefits of touristry in this period had gone to the flush society such as chief hotel proprietors and circuit operators. But, with the debut of sustainable touristry construct in 1980 ‘s, a turning point of the touristry policies of the state took placed. As a consequence of it, rural touristry, ecotourism, nature touristry like niche touristry operations were initiated doing the chance to prosecute in touristry by the local community and acquire some benefits. As agritourism is the latest sector of the touristry industry of the state, policies have n’t been formulated yet.
