| There has been little study of the economic contribution of the wildlife-based outdoor recreation to local economic development in developing countries. This study presents the results from a survey of a sample of shopkeepers/vendors in the vicinity of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage (PEO), a unique captive elephant-based recreation facility in Sri Lanka. The aims were to assess the fundamental characteristics of the businesses in this area, their dependency on the PEO, the nature of the backward economic linkages, and their ability to generate employment. We also canvassed opinions of these businessmen about possible improvements to the Orphanage environment and facilities. We find that the businesses established in this area outsource regionally a host... |
