Visitor Perception in Night Tourism and Cultural Experiences

Abstract

The increasingly widespread practice of night tourism offers visitors an unconventional experience at cultural heritage sites. In this context, night tourism has the potential to transform visitors' perceptions of historical spaces and enrich their cultural experiences. However, academic studies exploring how night tourism shapes visitor perception and cultural engagement are notably limited. This study aims to examine the impact of night tourism practices on visitor perception and cultural awareness based on participants’ personal observations and reflections, and to develop recommendations for improving the quality of such practices. A qualitative research method was adopted, and data were collected through a semi-structured interview form. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with local participants (n=10) who visited the Istanbul Archaeology Museum during nighttime hours, selected through purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis techniques. The findings indicate that nighttime visits provided participants with a more mystical and impressive experience, deepened their cultural engagement, and strengthened their connection with the historical site. However, insufficient lighting, unclear directional signage, and limited guiding services were identified as factors that negatively affected the overall experience.

Keywords

• Night Tourism
• Visitor Perception
• Cultural Experiences

Gece Turizminde Ziyaretçi Algısı ve Kültürel Deneyimler

Abstract

Giderek yaygınlaşan gece turizmi uygulamaları ziyaretçilere alışılmışın dışında bir deneyim sunmaktadır. Bu yönüyle gece turizmi, ziyaretçilerin tarihî mekânlara yönelik algılarını ve kültürel deneyimlerini dönüştürme potansiyeli taşımaktadır. Ancak literatürde gece turizmi deneyiminin ziyaretçi algısı ve kültürel deneyimi nasıl şekillendirdiğini ortaya koyan akademik çalışmalar az sayıda olmaktadır. Bu bağlamda, bu çalışma, gece turizmi deneyiminin, ziyaretçi algısı ve kültürel deneyimler üzerindeki yansımasını, katılımcıların kişisel gözlem ve yorumlarına dayalı olarak irdelemekte; aynı zamanda bu alandaki uygulamaların niteliğini artırmaya yönelik öneriler geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemi benimsenmiş olup, veri toplama aracı olarak yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formundan yararlanılmıştır. Görüşmeler, amaçlı örnekleme tekniği kapsamında İstanbul Arkeoloji Müzesi’ni gece saatlerinde ziyaret eden yerli katılımcılarla (n=10) yüz yüze gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler, betimsel analiz tekniğiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, gece ziyaretlerinin katılımcılara daha mistik ve etkileyici bir deneyim sunduğunu, kültürel deneyimlerini derinleştirdiğini ve tarihî mekânlarla kurulan bağın güçlenmesine katkı sağladığını ortaya koymaktadır. Ancak yetersiz ışıklandırma, yönlendirme eksiklikleri ve rehber anlatımlarındaki sınırlılıkların da deneyimi olumsuz etkileyebildiği belirlenmiştir.

Keywords

• Gece Turizmi
• Ziyaretçi Algısı
• Kültürel Deneyimler

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