Bridging tea with tourism: empirical evidence from India and Sri Lanka

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the specific tea tourism (TT) determinants. This paper uses the Porter’s Diamond model to critically examine how India and Sri Lanka gained a competitive advantage in the international market. Design/methodology/approach A cross-country study was conducted in which TT destinations in both India and Sri Lanka were considered for study. TT stakeholder perspectives were assessed through the Porter Diamond model, whereas data collection was based on a structured questionnaire that adopted the conceptual model (refer to the questionnaire as annex 1). Findings This study revealed that each determinant of Porter’s Diamond model (i.e. Factor Conditions – FC, Demand Conditions – DC, Related and Supporting Industry – RSI, Firm Strategy, Structure and Rivalry – SSR, Government – GO and Situational Force – SF) is playing a significant role in TT and India has an edge on Sri Lanka as a TT destination over each determinant of Porter Diamond model. Research limitations/implications This study restricts its scope to the present TT stakeholders of India and Sri Lanka, comprising 6 latent variables and 31 indicators, offering opportunities for future research to tourists and local residents in TT using the same model variables, and indicators. Practical implications This study highlights the emerging TT destinations in India and Sri Lanka by sensitizing the competitiveness and comparativeness using Porter’s Diamond model through the partial least squares structural equation modeling. Originality/value This study reflects a unique way of exploring emerging TT destinations through Porter’s Diamond model, signifying the competitive advantage.