The Empirical study on Potentials to Developing Rail Tourism in Sri Lanka - Evidence from Colombo – Badulla Railway Route

Abstract

Rail tourism is a niche tourism segment and activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for engage with Rail Tourism activities include short train rides, railroad park observations, museum visitations, and special events, such as rail fairs, festivals and days. Rail tourism provides potential economic benefits as a means of business and heritage identity (Philip, case study of Rail Tourism, 2012). Current situation of tourism in Sri Lanka is not much focused on rail tourism sector and there were no statistical data or annual reports with responsible authority to indicate on international tourists who are travel using train. But according to the Ministry of Transport “Sri Lankan tourism industry is booming and can achieve higher revenue through the promotion of railroad tourism, if developed and market appropriately” (Sri Lanka by rail Article, 2012).