Potential visitors of spice tourism and their intended future behaviour: a case study in the <em>Kolonna</em> Divisional Secretariat Division of Sri Lanka

Agro-tourism attracts visitors to an area, which is used primarily for agricultural purposes. Spice tourism is a form of agro-tourism that allows a specific land area for the benefits of the visitors to gain knowledge and experience of various spice crops, while roaming around the cultivations while feeling the aroma of spices. This study examined the potential visitors of spice tourism and their intended future behaviour regarding agro-tourism in spice gardens in the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) of Sri Lanka. A field survey was conducted for 40 local and foreign visitors who had visited three popular tourist destinations, namely, Maduwanwela Walawwa, Panamure Ethgala and Wavulpane Limestone cave in Kolonna. The results revealed that the middle-aged, educated, employed people with higher levels of income and living in urban areas are the potential visitors of spice tourism. Although their knowledge about spices was high, the awareness on the concept of spice tourism was low. However, visitors were willing to visit and study spice gardens as tourism destinations,, and would also stay one to two days and purchase spice products. Therefore, it is worthwhile to establish spice tourism destinations in spice gardens in Kolonna for the benefit of visitors as well as spice growers.