Exploring Challenges of Nightlife Tourism Development in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka

Ellawala Kankanamge Pasindu Madhusankha¹, Wathiyage Samara Samantha²

¹ Undergraduate, Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka.

² Lecturer, Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Studies, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihuloya, Sri Lanka.   

Abstract

This study explores the development pathways for focusing on the nightlife potential at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Galle Fort, Sri Lanka. The primary objectives of the study are to explore the challenges of developing nightlife tourism and to identify how to strategically develop it to enhance tourist satisfaction in Galle Fort. Using a qualitative case study design, the researcher conducted 21 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, including government officials, business owners, residents, and tourists, through purposive sampling techniques. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis. Key challenges of developing nightlife tourism at Galle Fort were found to be four major themes under governance and regulatory challenges, infrastructure challenges, socio-cultural challenges, and environmental and heritage concerns. Under the objective of key recommendations for strategic enhancement of nightlife tourism at Galle Fort, the following major themes are strategic development approaches, infrastructure and experience enhancement, safety and community integration and targeted marketing and service provision. The study presents key recommendations for developing nightlife tourism at Galle Fort, including the need for a unified strategic management plan for nightlife tourism, as well as enhancements to lighting, sanitary facilities, and waste management through the coordination of the Urban Development Authority and Galle Municipal Council. The significance of this study is that there are no proper studies about nightlife tourism development and the challenges to nightlife tourism in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka.      

Keywords: Galle Fort, Nightlife tourism, Unified strategic plan, World heritage site 

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