Abstract:
Tourism sector plays an important role in Sri Lanka’s economy by providing employments inhospitality industries and tourism related business. This paper reviews the potential for mangrove based ecotourism at KadolkeleMangrove Reserve (KMR), Negombo, for its sustainability and conservation. Economic valuation of mangrove ecosystem was conducted based on the use and non-use values. However, KMR, which lies within the perimeter of Regional Research Centre of National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency, is restricted touse for direct economic activities but limited to study and research activities. Therefore, valuing direct economic uses are challenging. The potential for ecotourism of this mangrove area was estimated using questionnaire, among the eco-tourists, whoreside at hotels nearby KMR. A similar survey was conducted among hoteliers in the west coast, who engaged in ecotourism business. Tourists willingness to pay (WTP) for mangrove based ecotourism was about 1-10% of their total travel cost. A tourist was willing to pay on an average USD 17 per visit to a mangrove park. Study reveals that KMR has a great potential for mangrove based ecotourism activities, if developed with appropriate policy measures and management plan. Further, it wouldsignificantly contribute to the sustainability of similar mangrove ecosystems of the area and attract investment for mangrove based ecotourism.
