Abstract:
As global tourist arrival numbers continue to rise, there are noticeable shifts
in demand and supply trends regarding sustainable tourism practices. The Sri Lanka
Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is increasingly adopting and implement-
ing sustainable tourism practices across various regions of the country. Anuradhapura,
situated in the North Central province, is one such area where sustainable tourism
practices have been put into effect. This study aims to examine the current sustainable
tourism practices in the hotels of the Anuradhapura area. The research primarily fo-
cused on management, socio-economic, and environmental aspects, using the Global
Sustainable Tourism Council Criteria (2013) as a model. The objectives included
identifying the current sustainable tourism practices in the hotels in Anuradhapura,
assessing the positive impacts of these practices on the local community, and deter-
mining the benefits that hotels derive from implementing sustainable tourism prac-
tices. To achieve these objectives, a mixed methods approach was employed, com-
bining data from questionnaires to provide a comprehensive understanding of the
subject. The results indicate that the current level of sustainable tourism practices in
Anuradhapura hotels is largely categorized as encouraging. Thematic analysis further
revealed nuanced insights, shedding light on specific themes within the data, such as
the positive impacts on socio-cultural and economic aspects perceived by local com-
munities. The implementation of these practices has enabled hotels to realize benefits
such as providing a safe and healthy environment for their guests and employees, as
well as fostering better relationships with the local community. Consequently, this
study underscores the need for increased focus by management on improving their
sustainable tourism practices in Anuradhapura, located in the North Central provinc
