Abstract:
The focus on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being that characterises wellness
tourism presents major potential for areas with abundant natural and cultural
resources. Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage City, rich in natural, cultural,
and spiritual resources, remains underexplored as a wellness tourism destination,
highlighting a notable gap in integrating heritage and wellness tourism development.
This study aims to investigate the potential and obstacles of establishing
Anuradhapura as a wellness tourism destination. A purposive sample of ten key
informants, comprising community members, Ayurvedic practitioners, tourism
operators, and government representatives, was selected. The sample size was limited
by data saturation in this exploratory investigation. Semi-structured interviews were
conducted as part of a qualitative research design, and the data were analysed using
thematic analysis. The study revealed Ayurvedic treatments, yoga-based wellness
practices, mindfulness-oriented relaxation and meditation programs, and spa services
as key wellness opportunities, whereas inadequate infrastructure, insufficient human
resources in wellness, limited and ineffective marketing efforts, and low stakeholder
awareness emerged as major barriers. Strategic planning and stakeholder
participation have become essential for sustainable development, particularly through
improved infrastructure, practitioner training, targeted marketing, and strengthened
public–private collaboration. By examining a new destination context in Sri Lanka
and emphasizing how wellness tourism can strengthen heritage tourism and
simultaneously contribute to cultural preservation, economic growth, and community
well-being, the findings add to the existing body of tourism literature.
