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 will 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.
