Abstract:
This study aims to examine the relationship between sense of place and
willingness to pay for historical and cultural places in the Sri Lankan context.
Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sri Lanka is the focus of this study. To this end, sense of
place factors__ identity and place dependence__ were identified and measurement
scales were developed by reviewing the literature. This work uses a survey of 300
both local and international visitors who visited the Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, and
examines the concepts of sense of place and willingness to pay. The regression
analysis has been conducted to examine how factors related to sense of place
predict the willingness to pay. The results show that ‘special qualities’ of this
historical and cultural place encourage for higher visitation and willingness to pay
for conserving Sigiriya Rock Fortress by both international visitors and local
visitors. In addition, ‘symbolic place’ is related to willingness to pay for by
international visitors. Incorporation of both local and international visitors’
perceptions add more insights into the phenomenon studied. The influences are
context determined and culturally varied. This is one of the less studied aspects in
Sri Lankan context, but understanding the conservation value that the visitors have
for this type of historical and cultural place is important in the sphere of
maintaining these places under the limited government budgets. Further, the
findings of this empirical study can be useful for planners, architects, real estate
developers and policy makers for their investment, maintenance of historic and
cultural places and heritage location decisions.
