A study was conducted to assess the factors affecting the establishment of spice tourism in spice gardens in Sri Lanka, based on farmers' perception including their willingness to start agro-tourism destinations. A sample of 60spice-growing farmers was randomly selected for the study from among those who have registered under the Department of Export Agriculture (DEA) in the Kolonna District Secretariat (DS) division in the Ratnapura district of Sri Lanka. A field survey was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire. Data collection was conducted during from January to April 2014. Descriptive statistics and Chi Square test were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that the majority of the spicegrowing farmers were males and above 50 years old. They had education up to G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L), more than five members in a family, and long term experience in farming. The main reasons for farmers to start spice tourism destinations were better usage of the farm's resources, employment opportunities for the family members, support from other existing tourist location and the interest or being a hobby. Furthermore, middle-age farmers having a significant level of education, large size of farm, higher annual income of the family, high profit from farm, large family size and long term experiences had associations with willingness to start spice tourism destinations. The study concluded that there is a significant number of positive factors for farmers to establish spice tourism in the Kolonna DS division. The government of Sri Lanka could assist this endeavor by giving education and training, improving infrastructure facilities and also motivating and assisting farmers to establish spice tourism destinations in the Kolonna DS division as an extra income generating activity.
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