Liminoid Experiences of Foreign Backpackers in Istanbul

Year 2024, , 326 - 342, 29.02.2024

Serhat Bingöl

https://doi.org/10.53353/atrss.1269214

Abstract

This research aims to examine the liminoid experiences of foreign backpackers in Istanbul. The research focuses on the liminal phase of travel referring to the experiential phase. The qualitative research method was employed based on “the conceptual model of the liminoid space”. Research findings show the liminoid model consisting of play, experimental involvement, and atmosphere is a significant approach for understanding the participants’ experiences. Notably, the concept of “play” aligns with the “escape” phenomenon in tourism research. Instead, travel experiences are temporary suspensions from the daily routines of the travelers. This suspension is enriched by the tourist attractions and activities, ultimately transforming into a liminoid experience. Therefore, the atmosphere encourages experiential involvement, contributing to the transformation of the travel experience into a liminoid one. Istanbul provides backpackers with a temporary transformative process and transcending social boundaries and backpackers’ experiences in Istanbul may evolve into liminoid experiences. However, backpackers' experiences may differ depending on their personal and cultural backgrounds. Therefore, destinations need to create an atmosphere tailored to the characteristics and demands of tourist groups.

Keywords

Backpackers, Liminality, Liminoid, Liminoid Experience, Istanbul

Yabancı Sırtçantalı Gezginlerin İstanbul’daki Liminoid Deneyimleri

Abstract

Bu araştırma, yabancı sırtçantalı gezginlerin İstanbul’daki liminoid deneyimlerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, seyahatin deneyimsel aşaması olan liminal evreye odaklanmıştır. Bu bağlamda, nitel araştırma yöntemi kullanılmış ve “liminoid mekânın kavramsal modeli” temel alınmıştır. Araştırma bulgularına göre oyun, deneyimsel katılım ve atmosferden oluşan liminoid model, katılımcıların deneyimlerini anlamak için önemli bir araç olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Özellikle, “oyunun”, turizm araştırmalarındaki “kaçış” olgusuyla örtüştüğü gözlemlenmiştir. Seyahat sırasındaki deneyimler ise gezginlerin günlük yaşamlarına bir ara verme şeklinde gerçekleşmiştir. Bu ara verme süreci, şehrin turistik cazibeleri ve etkinlikleri ile zenginleşerek, liminoid deneyime dönüşmüştür. Bu noktada, İstanbul’un yarattığı atmosfer, deneyimsel katılımı teşvik ederek, seyahat deneyiminin bir liminoid deneyime dönüşmesine katkı sağlamıştır. Böylelikle İstanbul, sırtçantalı gezginlere geçici bir dönüşüm süreci ve toplumsal sınırları aşma deneyimi sunmuştur. Dolayısıyla, sırtçantalıların İstanbul seyahatleri sırasında yaşadığı deneyimlerin, liminoid deneyime evrilebileceği ve seyahat deneyimlerinin zenginleşebileceği ortaya çıkmıştır. Ancak sırtçantalıların deneyimleri, kişisel ve kültürel geçmişlerine bağlı olarak farklılaşabilir. Bu nedenle destinasyonların, turist gruplarının özelliklerine ve taleplerine yönelik bir atmosfer yaratmaları önem arz etmektedir.

Keywords

Sırtçantalılar, Liminoid, Liminoid Deneyim, İstanbul, Liminalite

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