11:15 AM - 11:30 AM
[HTT15-09] Assessing the Tourism Components at Sigiriya World Heritage Site: Using GIS for Sustainable Tourism Development
Keywords:Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Component, Tourism Space, Weighted Overlay Analysis, GIS
Tourism is a vital sector in Sri Lanka’s economy, contributing over 5% to GDP and supporting more than 40 auxiliary industries with nearly 400,000 jobs. However, crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks have disrupted the sector, leading to revenue losses and challenges for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). As global trends shift toward sustainable tourism, Sri Lanka must align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to foster economic growth, attract responsible travelers and enhance investment. Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holds significant potential for sustainable tourism, yet challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and poor spatial planning hinder its development.
This study addresses these gaps by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze the spatial distribution of tourism components in Sigiriya and develop strategies for sustainable destination planning. While previous research has largely examined the impact of individual tourism components, it has not systematically assessed their spatial interactions or their role in sustainable tourism development from a geospatial perspective. This study bridges that gap by evaluating tourism spaces and all relevant components to formulate a GIS-driven Sustainable Destination Model.
The study area spans 204.12 km² and includes 21 local administrative divisions known as Grama Niladhari Divisions (GND). Data was collected across six key tourism components: Attractions, Accommodations, Transportation, Food and Beverages, Services, and Activities to analyze their spatial distribution. The interactions between these components were measured using three variables: density, proximity, and diversity, resulting in 11 standardized layers. A GIS-based Weighted Overlay Analysis was conducted by integrating these layers into a composite map, identifying areas with the highest tourism potential.
Findings categorize Sigiriya into four distinct tourism spaces: tourism space (high-priority area), intermediary space, transition space and non-tourism area. The high-priority area, including the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, exhibits strong accessibility and infrastructure, while intermediary and transition spaces present opportunities for future development. These insights emphasize the need for a balanced approach to tourism growth, integrating sustainable principles to maximize the potential of Sigiriya as a global tourism hub. Furthermore, this study contributes to sustainable tourism literature by applying GIS methodologies to assess spatial dynamics comprehensively. It highlights the interplay between attractions, accessibility and infrastructure in fostering balanced growth. The research offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, including targeted investment in underdeveloped areas and aligning tourism strategies with environmental conservation goals.
This study addresses these gaps by utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze the spatial distribution of tourism components in Sigiriya and develop strategies for sustainable destination planning. While previous research has largely examined the impact of individual tourism components, it has not systematically assessed their spatial interactions or their role in sustainable tourism development from a geospatial perspective. This study bridges that gap by evaluating tourism spaces and all relevant components to formulate a GIS-driven Sustainable Destination Model.
The study area spans 204.12 km² and includes 21 local administrative divisions known as Grama Niladhari Divisions (GND). Data was collected across six key tourism components: Attractions, Accommodations, Transportation, Food and Beverages, Services, and Activities to analyze their spatial distribution. The interactions between these components were measured using three variables: density, proximity, and diversity, resulting in 11 standardized layers. A GIS-based Weighted Overlay Analysis was conducted by integrating these layers into a composite map, identifying areas with the highest tourism potential.
Findings categorize Sigiriya into four distinct tourism spaces: tourism space (high-priority area), intermediary space, transition space and non-tourism area. The high-priority area, including the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, exhibits strong accessibility and infrastructure, while intermediary and transition spaces present opportunities for future development. These insights emphasize the need for a balanced approach to tourism growth, integrating sustainable principles to maximize the potential of Sigiriya as a global tourism hub. Furthermore, this study contributes to sustainable tourism literature by applying GIS methodologies to assess spatial dynamics comprehensively. It highlights the interplay between attractions, accessibility and infrastructure in fostering balanced growth. The research offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, including targeted investment in underdeveloped areas and aligning tourism strategies with environmental conservation goals.