Abstract:
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. If the tourism industry develops, then
many sectors will be improved causing regional development. Study area has much potential for
cultural tourism due to its festivals, temples setup. Traditionally this area is famous for the cultural
values. Tourism has become one of the major sectors of the economy in Jaffna. The concept of tourism
changed due to war. Therefore, this research was done in order to analyse the potential for cultural
tourism in Jaffna district. The objective was to identify the cultural tourism sites and to provide
suggestions for sustainable tourism in Jaffna peninsula. This research used primary data such as
interviews and group discussion while relevant documents, journals and online articles were used as
secondary data. This study which was a descriptive research type used SWOT analysis, GIS and
statistic method. At the end of this research suitable cultural tourism sites were identified. The study
explores how resource opportunities for cultural tourism in the study area are found with 80% of the
potential and opportunities and Vallipura Aalvar Kovil, Inuvil Kandasamy temple, Inuvil
Pararajasekara Kovil, Maruthankeny Nagathampiran Kovil and Maruthanarmadam Anjaneyar Kovil
were identified as new sites. The development of sustainable tourist attractions will be considered as
an opportunity for tourism while taking in to account of many weaknesses and threats.
