The Interaction Between Microplastic Pollution and Tourism: A Qualitative Research in The Context of Sustainability

Elanur Mutlu

doi:10.35229/jaes.1905037

EN TR

The Interaction Between Microplastic Pollution and Tourism: A Qualitative Research in The Context of Sustainability

Abstract

Today, microplastic pollution is one of the most important threats to environmental sustainability. The tourism sector brings forth both plastic consumption and waste excretion at high levels, while being an economic activity adversely affected by environmental degradation. Relevant areas of tourism, especially coastal tourism, are both a provider and a victim of pollution since coin sedative used plastics, cosmetics residues, and textile fibers, toxic materials, are collected and swept into the sea by nature itself. Increased density of tourists causes a faster mix-up of items into the sea, adversely affecting further environmental quality and environmental quality perception and therefore destination image and happiness of tourist visitors. The aim of this study is to explain the interaction of Microplastic pollution and tourism from the sustainability perspective. A descriptive qualative study was conducted in which the environmental, economic and perceptual dimension of microplastics presence in the tourist areas are gathered by document analysis. They reported that microplastic accumulation increases during periods of heightened tourist presence and have a detrimental effect on perceived destination image and environmental quality. They found that single-use plastics, cosmetic products and microplastics from textiles are a significant source of pollution specifically in coastal/marine tourism areas, while ecotourism practices, “plastic-free shores and plastic-free waters” initiatives, eco-friendly hotel policies and blue-flag standards are important sustainability arena tools for microplastic awareness and assistance in waste reduction. As a result, microplastic pollution not only depicts an environmental issue, but also constitutes a risk area, demanding comprehensive and long-term sustainability measures for the tourism industry.

Keywords

Microplastic pollution , tourism , sustainable tourism , coastal tourism. , environment

Mikroplastik Kirliliği ve Turizm Arasındaki Etkileşim: Sürdürülebilirlik Bağlamında Nitel Bir Araştırma

Öz

Günümüzde mikroplastik kirliliği, çevresel sürdürülebilirliğin önündeki en önemli tehditlerden biri haline gelmiştir. Turizm sektörü, bir yandan yüksek plastik tüketimi ve atık üretimiyle bu kirliliğin oluşumuna katkı sağlarken, diğer yandan çevresel bozulmadan doğrudan etkilenen bir ekonomik faaliyet alanıdır. Özellikle kıyı turizmi alanları, hem yoğun plastik kullanımı hem de çevresel bozulmaya karşı hassas yapıları nedeniyle bu kirliliğin hem kaynağı hem de mağduru konumundadır. Kıyı bölgelerinde artan turist yoğunluğu, tek kullanımlık ürünlerin, kozmetik kalıntıların ve tekstil liflerinin deniz ortamına karışmasını hızlandırmaktadır. Bundan yalnızca çevresel kalite değil, destinasyon imajı ve turist memnuniyeti de olumsuz etkilenmektedir. Bu çalışma, mikroplastik kirliliği ile turizm arasındaki etkileşimi sürdürülebilirlik perspektifinden incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmada nitel bir yaklaşım benimsenmiştir. Mikroplastiklerin turistik bölgelerdeki çevresel, ekonomik ve algısal etkileri doküman analizi yoluyla değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, turistik yoğunluğun arttığı dönemlerde mikroplastik birikiminin yükseldiğini, bu durumun destinasyon imajı ve çevresel kalite algısını olumsuz etkilediğini göstermektedir. Özellikle kıyı ve deniz turizmi alanlarında tek kullanımlık plastiklerin, kozmetik ürünlerin ve tekstil kaynaklı mikroplastiklerin önemli bir kirlilik kaynağı oluşturduğu belirlenmiştir. Buna karşılık, ekoturizm uygulamaları, “plastiksiz kıyılar ve plastiksiz sular” girişimleri, çevre dostu otelcilik politikaları ve mavi bayrak standartları, mikroplastik farkındalığını artırma ve atık azaltımını destekleme açısından önemli sürdürülebilirlik araçlarıdır. Sonuç olarak, mikroplastik kirliliği yalnızca çevresel bir sorun değil, aynı zamanda turizmin uzun vadeli sürdürülebilirliğini ve rekabet gücünü etkileyen bütüncül bir risk alanıdır. Bu nedenle turizm sektöründe mikroplastik yönetimine yönelik bütüncül politikaların geliştirilmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Mikroplastik kirliliği , turizm , sürdürülebilir turizm , kıyı turizmi. , çevre

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Conservation and Biodiversity

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Elanur Mutlu ^*
0000-0002-4157-9245
Türkiye

Publication Date

April 9, 2026

Submission Date

March 7, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1905037

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA58SN92UX

APA

Mutlu, E. (2026). The Interaction Between Microplastic Pollution and Tourism: A Qualitative Research in The Context of Sustainability. Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences, 2026. https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1905037

EBSCOHost Scilit CABI

JAES/AAS-Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences/Anatolian Academic Sciences&Anadolu Çevre ve Hayvancılık Dergisi/Anadolu Akademik Bilimler-AÇEH/AAS

The Interaction Between Microplastic Pollution and Tourism: A Qualitative Research in The Context of Sustainability

Abstract

Keywords

Mikroplastik Kirliliği ve Turizm Arasındaki Etkileşim: Sürdürülebilirlik Bağlamında Nitel Bir Araştırma

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

References

Details

Primary Language

Subjects

Journal Section

Authors

Publication Date

Submission Date

Acceptance Date

Published in Issue

DOI

IZ

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