Abstract:
Sri Lanka's diving tourism sector holds significant potential to enhance its
global competitiveness, yet it faces critical development gaps that hinder its
growth. This study explores stakeholder-driven strategies to address these
challenges by adopting a qualitative research approach. Data were collected
through semi-structured interviews with 18 key industry stakeholders involved
in diving tourism activities in Sri Lanka. The findings reveal that limited
infrastructure, inadequate funding, lack of stakeholder collaboration, and
insufficient environmental education are significant barriers to industry
expansion. Moreover, the study identifies a gap in research focusing on
stakeholder-driven strategies to position Sri Lanka as a premier diving tourism
destination. By integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives, this research
provides context-specific recommendations to enhance tourist experiences,
promote sustainable practices, and drive long-term industry growth. The
study's novelty lies in its stakeholder-centric approach, offering actionable
insights contributing to the sustainable development of Sri Lanka’s diving
tourism sector.
