DOI: 10.36347/sjahss.2018.v06i02.019

Pages: 411-416

Beach is an ideal place for family recreational visits. A visitor’s decision to visit a particular recreation site is influenced by many factors including socio demographic features of visitors, distance to recreational site and popularity of that place. This study examines the visitor’s profile and factors affecting beach visits in the form of expenditure incurred. A detailed questionnaire survey was carried out in a popular tourist destination; Pasikudah in eastern part of Sri Lanka. Data related to socioeconomic status of visitors and trip information pertained to study was collected in simple random sampling method. Descriptive statistics, mean comparison and multiple regression analysis were done to interpret the results. Results show more non-local visitors (70%) visit Pasikudah than local visitors and the average age of respondents in study area was 38 years. The average total family income of respondents in the study area was Rs. 58,362/- per month as well as the household size in study area was 4 members per family. Mean travel cost to Pasikudah was Rs. 357.35/- per visit and total expenditure on Pasikudah beach visit was Rs. 989.40/- in average. Expenditure on Pasikudah beach visits was significantly affected by total monthly income (p < 0.01) and travelling distance to Pasikudah beach.