Serious study on tourism

Priyanka Kurugala

Fifteen articles have decorated seasoned journalist Shyam Nuwan Ganewaththa's latest research compilation 'Sri Lankawe Sancharaka Vyaparaya: Apeksha Saha Abhiyoga' (Sri Lanka Tourism: Expectations and Challenges). Ganewatta has obtained support from his fellow journalist Pathum Wickramaratne this time.

The articles shed a new light in the country's booming industry.

Tourism has kindled interest both internationally and locally in a manifold manner. No subject has succeeded to overweigh the importance of tourism, according the collection of articles.

The industry is, however, quite fragile.

It will crumble down at any moment due to either internal or external pressure. The fresh trends have to be understood in a close range with a deep understanding. Sri Lanka has every qualification to be called a developed country, as its industrial economy is in a fast track. Despite its geographical size, the country houses many venues and places that bear significance. Culture, wildlife, community, religion and many other fields have been attracting the average tourist's attention.

The editors' aim is to study expectations and challenges faced by tourism as an industry. This is a welcome variant due to various factors.

There are many guidebooks meant for tourists. But they fail to grasp the serious nature the tourism demands of as an industry. 'Sri Lankawe Sancharaka Vyaparaya: Apeksha Saha Abhiyoga' reminds us how short we are of rich literature on Sri Lankan tourism.