Abstract
Tea has its own history, tradition and culture, and this can attract tourists and strengthen their motivation and pleasure through their involvement in tea tourism. Many tea-growing countries are participating in tea tourism as a niche market that generates revenue in bulk tea and value-added tea, as well as information about growing methods and consumption. With the resurgence of tea and the increased appreciation of tea culture, this drink has now become a modern must-have experience within the global hospitality industry. However, there is a limited body of literature devoted to the role of tea culture in the hospitality industry. This study narrows the focus to how Sri Lankan commercial hospitality takes tea culture to the next level, mainly focusing on the hotels located in the main tea-growing district in Sri Lanka, Nuwara Eliya. The researchers applied a purely qualitative approach using the data collection techniques of semi-structured interviews and observation. The results emphasize the tea-related culinary and non-culinary experiences that the hospitality industry is currently promoting to bring tea to those visitors of the highest calibre. In conclusion, the research details the almost untouched potential for hoteliers to activate a Ceylon tea culture within Nuwara Eliya. Bringing its authentic tea culture to a wide spectrum of hospitality culinary and non-culinary events is vital for hoteliers in their quest to generate diverse streams of income, and this will indirectly contribute to the strengthening of the integration between tea, hospitality and community and will encourage communal ways of life.
Published Version
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