Abstract:
The study focused on the dive tourism impacts on the host community of Southern
province in Sri Lanka. Finding out the impacts of dive tourism will help to reach the
positivity and to overcome the negativity of tourism to contribute to community
development. This study investigated whether the active local participation is possible
and to what extent, how far host communities are exposed to the impacts of dive
tourism and the motivational factors of divers. The study covered Southern province
and examined many aspects of local community life that influenced by local host
communities. The research employed more qualitative techniques and data were
analysised using SPSS software. A purposive sampling technique was adopted and data
were analysised using descriptive analysis, correlation coefficient, and thematic
analysis. The findings showed local communities feel the impacts of dive tourism
through positive developments or negative consequences like the rise of real estate
costs and increased pollution. This area is a very suitable area for varieties of dive
tourism activities and recreational activities. New activities can be introduced and
started and can re-built previous activities, especially camping sites, underwater
photography, cultural activities, and dive based innovational activities. With the help of
the community, these activities can be started and they can get benefits while
preserving the environment.
Keywords: Dive tourism, Tourism impacts, Community development, Motivational
factors
