Tea heritage tourism: evidence from Sri Lanka

Abstract

Within the context of heritage tourism this article examines the supply components for the tea-related tourism in the tea-producing country of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. The tourism context in Sri Lanka is assessed and despite impediments to tourism development some evidence is provided of an early stage of development of tea heritage tourism in the country. The benefits of this form of tourism to the Sri Lankan tea economy are explored and barriers and threats to its development are reviewed. This is mainly based on qualitative field studies of tea accommodations, tea factory access and tea centre operations in the tea-producing hill country of Sri Lanka. From this investigation of the tea-related tourism in Sri Lanka, themes for further research on the demand for this type of tourism are identified.

Repurposing colonial tea heritage through historic lodging

“…It further develops previous studies on the potential for "tea tourism" (Jolliffe, 2007) and the identification of "tea character accommodations" (Jolliffe & Aslam, 2009) in the region. Using historical sources interspersed with actual accounts of present-day operations provides a rich narrative overview of the current use of historic properties connected with the tea industry as lodging.…”

“…Moreover, rapid increase in demand and expansion of tea-related accommodations in hill country after the end of the prolonged civil war ascertains that the historic lodging is a significant segment of the Sri Lanka tourism and hospitality industry. In comparison to our previous investigation in 2008 (Jolliffe & Aslam, 2009) the demand, tourist flow, and number of tea-related accommodations have increased incredibly. The naturalistic interpretations revitalize uniqueness and encourage a prevailing upward trend in demand for tea heritage and plantations to cater to an alternative niche tourism market.…”

“…Simpson (1993) argues that the increasing tourism demand in Sri Lanka mystifies authenticity and redefines it to exploit the lucrative opportunities. However, tourism at heritage tea plantations raises the value for tea and tourism of Sri Lanka significantly while rejuvenating plantation-based livelihoods and conserving heritage and natural resources (Jolliffe & Aslam, 2009). …”

“…These accommodations along with tea centers and retail outlets, tea gardens, tea processing factories and landscapes, and interpretive facilities (such as the Ceylon Tea Museum) form the supply for tea heritage tourism in the region (Jolliffe & Aslam, 2009). The historic accommodations accessible to tourists include rest houses, former planters' clubs, former tea estate planters' housing, as well as a redundant tea factory set amidst verdant tea gardens but repurposed as a luxury hotel (Heritance Tea Factory, n.d.).…”

On the Marketing Mix of Fujian Tea Tourism

“…Tea tourism has now been recognized as a new way to diversify the tourism markets and improve the local economies in tea producing countries. 5 Tea tourism has emerged in China just as it has in other tea producing and consuming countries, notably Japan, India, Turkey, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. In India, the tea tourism experience includes sight-seeing, together with tasting tea and food taken with tea.…”