ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an examination of the tourism industry in Sri Lanka and the factors that are likely to impact upon its ability to adopt a green economy approach. It begins with a brief discussion of the green tourism economy concept followed by the methods section. The tourism industry in Sri Lanka had, been stifled by the long-running civil war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The growth in tourism is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits including increased foreign currency earnings and increased employment opportunities. However, the challenge for the government and the industry is to ensure that its expansion does not result in adverse environmental, social and economic impacts. Sri Lanka receives many of its tourists from India and, to a lesser extent, China and the Middle East. These countries, with large populations, are experiencing high levels of economic growth resulting in rapidly expanding middle classes with high levels of discretionary spending.
