A Comprehensive Assessment of the Positive and Negative Impacts of Tourism Development on Family Cultures in Mirissa and Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is renowned for its historical and natural treasures, making it a popular tourism destination among international travellers. Consequently, the tourism industry has become Sri Lanka's third-largest source of foreign exchange earnings, driven by a consistent annual increase in visitor arrivals. While tourism has numerous benefits for the economy, it also has significant negative impacts on social and cultural aspects, particularly on local family cultures. To investigate the impacts of tourism development on family cultures in the host community, this study was conducted in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Utilizing a qualitative research strategy, purposive sampling was employed to gather data from tourist hotspots in Mirissa and Hikkaduwa. The sample for this study comprised 15 participants living in the study areas. The study findings revealed that the rise of tourism had more positive than negative effects on residents in Southern Province tourist locations. Among the notable positive effects were increased self-confidence and personal growth, enhanced family unity, improved language skills, the combination of conventional jobs with tourism, economic development, and a focus on entrepreneurship. On the other hand, some of the negative effects observed during the intervention included changes in behavior, adjustments to new trends, shifts in spending and eating habits, a hectic lifestyle, illegal activities like drug use and prostitution, and environmental degradation. To mitigate the negative impacts of tourism development on family cultures, the study recommends measures such as family and personal responsibility, providing suitable education for dropouts, government regulations, and regular government inspection to prevent adverse effects on families. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the effects of tourism development on family cultures in Sri Lanka's Southern Province and suggests measures to mitigate the negative impacts.