Recent Changes in Tourism Trends in Sri Lanka dn Implications for Poverty Reduction

The paper explores whether the global recession has changed the tourism industry in Sri Lanka and how or if this change is affecting poverty. This paper will aim to answer the research questions: has the financial crisis affected tourism in Sri Lanka? If so, to what extent has this impact been felt by the low income households? And what have been the buffers to support the industry. The paper first explores the macro setting that sets out the recent trends in tourism to test the hypothesis of cause and effect and then looks to dis-aggregate these trends at a micro level to discern how or if there has been an impact on poverty. It will also explore if the domestic tourism market has played a role in cushioning the impacts due changes in international tourism