The Mediating Role of the Quality of Tourist-Local Interaction in the Effect of Overtourism Perception on Quality of Life

Abstract

Overtourism is defined as the negative emotions residents develop toward tourism due to its undesirable impacts. Numerous studies have tried to identify how perceptions of overtourism affect host communities. Evidence shows that while locals in overtouristed destinations initially appreciate tourism’s economic gains, their attitudes reverse as social and environmental costs accumulate. This study investigates whether the quality of tourist–resident interaction mediates the influence of overtourism perception on residents’ quality of life. A quantitative relational survey design was adopted, involving participants living in Trabzon, Türkiye. Data were gathered from residents through convenience sampling, yielding 402 valid questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was applied to test direct hypotheses, and Hayes’ PROCESS macro (Model 4) was employed to evaluate the mediating mechanism. Results demonstrate that the quality of tourist–resident interaction significantly mediates the relationship between perceptions of overtourism and perceived quality of life. This suggests that improving daily contact between visitors and hosts can buffer the detrimental effects of excessive tourism pressure.

Keywords

• Perception of overtourism
• Quality of life
• Quality of tourist-local interaction

Aşırı Turizm Algısının Yaşam Kalitesine Etkisinde Turist-Yerli Halk Etkileşiminin Kalitesinin Aracı Rolü

Abstract

Aşırı turizm, turizm faaliyetlerinin yol açtığı olumsuz etkilerden dolayı halkın turizme karşı hissettiği olumsuz duygular olarak ifade edilmektedir. Aşırı turizm algısının yerli halk üzerinde etkisini belirlemeye yönelik olarak birçok çalışma yapılmıştır. Aşırı turizm gerçekleştiği destinasyonlarda yerli halkın turizm faaliyetlerinden ilk başta ekonomik etkiden dolayı memnun olduğu fakat zamanla olumsuz etkilerin ortaya çıkmasıyla birlikte bu durum tam tersine döndüğü görülmüştür. Bu araştırma, aşırı turizm algısının yaşam kalitesi üzerindeki etkisinde turist-yerli halk etkileşiminin aracılık rolünü incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, nicel araştırma yöntemlerinden olan ilişkisel tarama modeli üzerinden gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma Trabzon’da yaşayan bireylerin katılımıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma verileri yerli halktan kolayda örnekleme yönteminden yararlanılarak toplanmış ve 402 veri ile analizler yapılmıştır. Araştırma hipotezlerinin test edilmesi amacıyla doğrudan etkileri belirlemek için yapısal eşitlik modellemesi uygulanmıştır. Turist-yerli halk etkileşimi kalitesinin aracılık rolünün belirlenmesi için PROCESS makrosunda Model 4 uygulanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda turist-yerli halk etkileşiminin aşırı turizm algısı ve yaşam kalitesi arasındaki ilişkiye anlamlı bir şekilde aracılık ettiği belirlenmiştir.

Keywords

• Aşırı turizm algısı
• yaşam kalitesi
• turist yerli halk etkileşimi kalitesi

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