Tourist-to-Tourist Interaction: The Case of an All-Inclusive Hotel Business

Year 2023, Volume: 7 Issue: 1, 84 - 105, 21.03.2023

Serhat Adem Sop Yusuf Günaydın Metin Kozak

https://doi.org/10.32572/guntad.1143987

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore how the tourist-to-tourist interaction occurs in an all-inclusive hotel business and how such an interaction may offer benefits for individuals. For this purpose, a qualitative research approach was adopted, and data were collected using the interview technique. The data collection process was conducted face-to-face in a five-star hotel offering all-inclusive services in Bodrum, Turkey, from 25 May to 14 October 2021. Data were collected from a total of 18 participants, including tourists from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, the Netherlands, Iran, France, and Albania. Even during the epidemic period, tourists had such expectations as exploring the new places, resting, and social interaction. In addition, tourists desire to establish the social interaction not only with other peers but also with the local people and hotel staff. On the other hand, foreign language problem appears to be the main factor preventing the tourist-tourist interaction. Despite this, some tourists make a special effort to interact with their peers. As a result, the tourist-tourist interaction supports the individuals’ sense of subjective well-being, ensures the development of foreign language knowledge, allows them to obtain up-to-date information about what happens in the hotel, and causes them to enjoy their holiday.

Keywords

Sociology of Tourism, Psychology of Tourism, Tourist Behavior, Social Interaction, Tourist-to-Tourist Interaction, All-Inclusive Concept

Turist-Turist Etkileşimi: Her Şey Dahil Otel Örneği

Abstract

Bu araştırma, her şey dahil hizmeti sunan otel işletmelerinde turist-turist etkileşiminin nasıl gerçekleştiğini ve bu etkileşimin bireylere nasıl fayda sağladığını keşfetmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Bunun için nitel araştırma yaklaşımı benimsenmiş ve görüşme tekniği kullanılarak veri toplanmıştır. Veri toplama süreci 25 Mayıs–14 Ekim 2021 tarihleri arasında Bodrum’da her şey dahil hizmet veren beş yıldızlı bir otelde yüz yüze yürütülmüştür. Türkiye, Azerbaycan, Rusya, Ukrayna, Polonya, Hollanda, İran, Fransa ve Arnavutluk’tan turistlerin katıldığı araştırmada toplam 18 katılımcıdan veri toplanmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda, turistlerin pandemi döneminde dahi yeni yerler keşfetme, dinlenme ve sosyal etkileşime girme gibi beklentiler içerisinde olduğu anlaşılmıştır. Ayrıca, turistlerin sadece diğer otel misafirleriyle değil, aynı zamanda yerel halk ve otel çalışanlarıyla da sosyal temas kurma arzusunda oldukları belirlenmiştir. Diğer taraftan, otel içerisindeki turist-turist etkileşimini engelleyen temel unsurun yabancı dil sorunu olduğu keşfedilmiştir. Buna rağmen bazı turistlerin diğer turistlerle etkileşime girmek için özel bir çaba sarf ettiği görülmüştür. Sonuç olarak, turist-turist etkileşimi bireyin öznel iyi oluş duygusunu desteklemekte, yabancı dil bilgisinin gelişmesini sağlamakta, otelde yapılanlar/konuşulanlar hakkında bilgi sahibi olmasına imkân tanımakta ve tatilden haz almasına neden olmaktadır.

Keywords

Turizm Sosyolojisi, Turizm Psikolojisi, Turist Davranışları, Sosyal Etkileşim, Turist-Turist Etkileşimi, Her Şey Dahil Konsepti

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