Harassment of Foreign Tourists in Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka

Tourist safety is a critical determinant of destination choice, satisfaction, and repeat visitation, yet tourist harassment remains a persistent challenge in Sri Lanka. This qualitative, exploratory study examines the forms and consequences of harassment experienced by foreign tourists and explores stakeholder-based strategies to enhance destination safety in the cultural triangle in Sri Lanka. Guided by an interpretivist research philosophy, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observations, and secondary sources, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The discussion draws on cognitive appraisal theory, destination image theory, and stakeholder theory as complementary frameworks for interpreting tourists’ emotional appraisals, destination image dynamics, and stakeholder responsibilities. Findings reveal that harassment such as verbal abuse, intrusive solicitation, sexual advances, and overpricing generates fear, frustration, and avoidance behaviors, negatively shaping tourist experiences and perceptions of safety. Repeated negative encounters, amplified through social media and peer reviews, undermine Sri Lanka’s destination image, while fragmented institutional responses contribute to underreporting and persistence of harassment.