Title Page
Contents
ABSTRACT 12
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 15
1.1. Introduction 15
1.2. Background of the study-Tourism in South Asia 18
1.3. Research question 21
1.3.1. Research Sub-questions 22
1.4. Operational key terms 23
1.5. Organization of thesis 24
CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 26
2.1. Introduction 26
2.2. The evolution of sustainable tourism developments 26
2.3. An overview of the tourism industry and environmental aspects in South Asia 30
2.4. Tourism impacts in the South Asian regions-country-wise perspectives 35
2.5. Strategies for developing sustainable tourism 39
2.6. Conclusion 44
CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY 45
3.1. Introduction 45
3.2. Research philosophy 45
3.2.1. Epistemology 46
3.2.2. Ontology 47
3.3. Research methodology 48
3.4. Sampling and sampling technique 50
3.4.1. Purposive sampling techniques 51
3.5. Research method 52
3.5.1. The Delphi technique 53
3.6. Ethical consideration 55
3.7. Data analysis 55
3.7.1. Thematic data analysis 55
3.8. Conduct of study 56
3.8.1. Data type and codes 58
3.8.2. Demonstration research process 59
3.9. Conclusion 60
CHAPTER 4. FINDINGS 61
4.1. Introduction 61
4.2. Findings 61
4.2.1. Theme 1: Current status of sustainable tourism in the South Asian countries 61
4.2.2. Theme 2: Issues and challenges for obtaining sustainable tourism development 63
4.2.3. Theme 3: Strategies 66
4.3. Demonstration of themes and sub-themes of this study 75
4.4. Conclusion 78
CHAPTER 5. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 79
5.1. Introduction 79
5.2. Summary of findings 79
5.2.1. Sub-question 1-To understand the status of tourism development in the South Asian Countries 80
5.2.2. Sub-question 2-To examine the issues and hurdles that create obstacles to sustainable tourism development in the South Asian countries 81
5.2.3. Sub-question 3-To identify strategies and methods that upmost sustainable tourism and sustainable development for South Asia 83
5.3. Contribution to knowledge 85
5.4. Limitation of the study 85
5.5. Recommendations 86
5.5.1. Recommendations for future study 86
5.5.2. Recommendations for managerial bodies 87
REFERENCES 90
APPENDICES 10
APPENDIX 1. SCREENSHOTS OF WEBINARS 102
Appendix 1a. Unpacking sustainable tourism in India through the lens of GSTC criteria 102
Appendix 1b. Sustainable Tourism in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities 103
Appendix 1c. GM Forum 2019 Highlights: Panel Discussions-Challenges for Sustainable Tourism in the Maldives 104
Appendix 1d. World Tourism Day 2020 Webinar 105
Appendix 1e. Greening Sri Lanka Tourism for prosperity, University of Colombo 106
APPENDIX 2. TRANSCRIPTS OF SAMPLES 107
Appendix 2a. WB-MA 107
Appendix 2b. WB-IN 107
Appendix 2c. WB-PA 108
Appendix 2d. WB-NE 108
Appendix 2e. WB-TIA 109
APPENDIX 3. DATA ANALYSIS MATRIX 110
Appendix 3a. WB-PA 110
Appendix 3b. WB-SL 111
Appendix 3c. WB-BH 111
Appendix 3d. WB-NE 112
Appendix 3e. Data Matrix 112
Table 3.8. Data types and codes 58
Figure 1.2. The South Asian tourists' arrival 19
Figure 1.3. Map of South Asian Countries 22
Figure 2.2. Conceptual aspects of sustainable tourism. 29
Figure 2.3. The South Asian tourism overview. 31
Figure 2.5.1. Key performance indicators for establishing CPE programs of sustainable tourism development 41
Figure 2.5.2. A modified model for destination competitiveness in the tourism industry. 43
Figure 3.8.2. Process of the study 59
Figure 4.3. Themes and sub-themes of the study 77