1) Problem statement

An empirical study on socio cultural & ecological impact from Tourism industry in
Hikkaduwa area.

1.1 Justification of Problem

Today society is very sophisticated. Therefore human beings can not achieve all their
need & wants without the help of society and environment. People have to fulfill their
Needs and wants with use of limited resources. Therefore it is impossible to minimize
impact which caused to the both society as well as environment

Society consist people culture custom and norms. On other hand environment consist
with man kind animal nature and natural resources
The human factor is the most important factor to the development of the socio culture
sector as well as natural environment

As a developing country Sir Lanka is more concerning developing the economy through
tourism industry which bring considerable amount of foreign exchange to the country and
creating more employment opportunities to Sri Lanka
Tourism industry has got positive impact as well as negative impact. When it comes to
negative impact we can identify impact such as Child abusing, Prostitution, and
Smuggling

• Demand for sex tourism specially from female tourist

• Demand for illegal alcohol & drug from tourist
• Thread from HIV AIDS and other security transmitted deceases

Above factors directly affected to socio cultural sector. Not only to socio cultural sector
but also ecological sector has got negative impact from this industry. Impact to this sector
can be emphasis such as environment pollution, extinction wild animal, destruction of
coral reef.

Over the last few years Hikkaduwa area which located southern province had been badly
affected both socio cultural sector as well as ecological sector. This happen mainly
because of most tourist like to visit this area sight seen of the sandy bleachers, scuba
diving , glass bottom boat right, interaction of foreigners 7 sex workers habit of put out
waste to the environment from restaurant & hotel

This let to deteriorated both socio cultural as well as ecological sector

In this back drop it is utmost important that uplift the standard of both socio cultural and
ecological sector in the Hikkaduwa area. Therefore this research is an empirical study on
socio cultural and ecological impact from tourism in Hikkaduwa area.
2) Objective of the study

2.1 Main Objective

The main objective of this research is to make improvement to minimize the negative
impact to socio cultural & ecological sector from tourism industry in Hikkaduwa area

2.2 Sub Objective

1. To identify General background of socio cultural & ecological sector in

Hikkaduwa area

2. To investigate the environment pollution which caused from Hotel & restaurant
In Hikkaduwa area

3. To investigate the cultural collapse in Hikkaduwa area due to tourism industry

4. To identify the villages idea towards the present situation in socio cultural &
ecological sector in Hikkaduwa area

3) Significance of the study

Hikkaduwa is located approximately 100 km from Bandaranayke international Airport.
Hikkaduwa is accessible by train and bus is central to many of the other wonderful tourist
destination in Sri Lanka. The peak season for tourism in for Hikkaduwa is from October
to April.

About 20-30 years a go Hikkaduwa was simply fishing village. However since the early
1890 it has become one of the major tourist attractions of Sri Lanka
Hikkaduwa is famous among tourist for its natural attraction wide clean beaches, coral
garden ocean with crystal clear water and hot sun are just to make a few.
Combined with an active nightlife, many tourist come to Hikkaduwa for water sports,
such a surfing boogies, boarding, snorkeling and scuba diving kite surfing and wind
surfing are also grooving in popularity.

But gradually the negative impact for socio cultural & ecological sector of Hikkaduwa
has increased significantly over the past year. Since city highly popular among tourist.
This collapse of both sectors can become a big problem for their visiting in future years.
Therefore, considering all the above factors this problem can be listed as one of the must
significance problem facing by local community in Hikkaduwa.
4) Methodology
This research is carried out using a Survey Research Methodology. Survey research
methods are mainly used for exploratory, explanatory and descriptive purposes.
The definitions of each are as follows.

Exploratory
- Are a valuable means of finding out ‘What is happening ‘? To seek new insights
to ask questions and to assess phenomena in a new light.

Explanatory
- Studies that establish casual relationship between variables. The emphasis here is on
studying a situation or a problem in order to explain the relationship between variables.

Descriptive-
To describe an exact profile of persons, event or situations.

These units of analysis are individual people& organization. Other units of analysis, such
as groups or interactions may be studied. But individual persons are used as informants or
respondents. This is because, in a typical survey, a sample of respondents are selected and
carefully prepared a standarardized questionnaire is administered to those respondents in
order to obtain relevant data for the study in question.

4.1 Primary data collection

Population

Here researcher will be considering all the hotels and restaurant situated in Hikkaduwa
area. Boat safari organization, local community (villages), religions, people & guide

Sample
The sample will be selected using the convenience sample technique and sample is as
follows

Sample type Sample size

Hotel & restaurant 30
Boating safari organization 20
Villages 50
Religious people 10
Foreign Tourist 40
TOTAL 150

4.2 Data collection tools

Primary Data collection methods

Researcher will use questionnaire as data collection tool. On the other hand researcher
will directly observe those parties. Further researcher will gather information through the
informal discussions.

Secondary data collection method

• Tourism related magazine

• Community based ecotourism practices in Sri Lanka, Published material of Sri
Lanka Eco Tourism founder
• Internet
• Sewa Lanka news letter broachers of community based Tourism in Sri Lanka.
• Sri Lanka Tourist boarded nation’s ecotourism publication.

5) Limitations of the study

• Managers do not have much time to spend on answering the research question
as they are busy. Moreover most managers are will not willing to spend their
Unnecessary

• All questionnaires for foreign tourist and villagers were in English language
and large number of tourist and villagers were unable to speak in English.
Thus language problem also limited the number tourist and villages under the
Sample.

• Tourism businessmen were also busy on their business, so business some

business man not willing to provide necessary information.
 6) Reference
• Blamey, R. K. (2001) 'Principles of Ecotourism', in Weaver, D. B. (ed), 'The
Encyclopedia of Ecotourism', CAB International, Wallingford,

• Cooper Donald R., Schindler Pamela S. (2003) Business Research Methods,

McGraw Hill.
• Ceylon tourist board annual reports

• Internet & magazine & news paper

7) Time Duration & Budget

7.1 Time Duration

Step Activities Period Duration

01 Literature review
02 Data collection
03 Data Analysis
04 Writing 1st chapter
05 Writing 2nd chapter
06 Writing 3rd chapter
07 Submit to Department
Total Time

7.2 Budget

Step Requirement Amount

01 Literature Review
02 Stationary
03 Telephone
04 Computer charges
05 Traveling
06 Print out and binding
Total Amount