SNOW RAFTING AS A NEW CONCEPT IN TOURISM DESTINATION: A RESEARCH IN ABALI SKI CENTER FROM VAN PROVINCE

Year 2015, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 1 - 10, 01.06.2015

Kutbettin Erdurur M. Nuri Sevgin Said Kıngır

Abstract

Main objective of this research is to contribute to the determination of tourism potential of snow rafting,
which can be considered as a new sport activity. Another issue that is aimed within this study is to set Van
a significant tourist destination center nationally and internationally and to mention shortages and
measurements towards them by popularizing and developing snow rafting, which can be driving force for
the sake of development and diversification of tourism.
Area of investigation for this study is Van Abalı ski center. Qualitative research method has been used in
this study. Data have been collected through interview and observation. Ski center, primary subject of the
research, has been analyzed on site. Findings related to current and possible prospective position of snow
rafting as a tourism product have been revealed through interview and observation carried out. According
to the findings obtained, it can be expressed that Abalı ski center is far below the level of its potential and
in worse position than where its added value is expected to be in terms of tourism.

Keywords

Tourism Destination, Van Abalı Ski Center, Snow Rafting

References

• Bahar, O. and Kozak, M., (2005). Küreselleşme Sürecinde Uluslar Arası Turizm ve Rekabet Edebilirlik, Ankara: Detay Yayıncılık.
• Bulu, M. and Eraslan, İ. H., (2008). “Bolu İli Turizm Sektörünün Uluslararası Rekabetçilik Analizi”, SOİD, 5 (1), 44-56.
• Çakmak, Ç. A. and Kök, T. İ., (2012). “Destinasyon Pazarlaması ve Safranbolu’nun Destinasyon İmajının Ölçülmesi”, Ticaret ve Turizm Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 2, 80-101.
• Falk, M., (2010). “A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis of Snow Depth and Winter Tourism”, Tourism Management, 31 (6), 912–924.
• Hacıoğlu, N., Gökdeniz, A. and Dinç, Y., (2009). “Boş Zaman ve Rekreasyon Yönetimi” Örnek Animasyon Uygulamaları, (2. Baskı), Ankara: Detay Yayıncılık.
• Hosany, S., Ekinci, Y. and Uysal, M., (2006). “Destination Image and Destination Personality: An Application Of Branding Theories to Tourism Places”, Journal of Business Research, 59 (5), 638-642.
• Kaya, E. and Arıkan, İ., (2009). “Türkiye’de Kış Turizmi ve Bölge Ekonomisine Etkileri”, 10. Ulusal Turizm Kongresi, Ankara: Detay Yayıncılık, 397-408.
• Murphy P., Pritchard, P. M. and Smith B., (2000). “The Destination Product and Its Impact on Traveler Perceptions”, Tourism Management, 21 (1), 46.
• Patterson, M. T., Niccolucci, and Marchettini, N., (2008), “Adaptive Environmental Management of Tourism in The Province of Siena, Italy Using the Ecological Footprint”, Journal of Environmental Management, 86 (2), 407-418.
• Peter M., Mark P. P. and Brock S., (2000). “The Destination Product and Its Impact on Traveler Perceptions”, Tourism Management, 21 (1), 43-52.
• Tinsley, R. and Lynch, P., (2001). “Small Tourism Business Networks and Destination Development”, International Journal of Hospitality Management, 20 (4), 367–378.
• Usta, Ö., (2009), Turizm Genel ve Yapısal Yaklaşımı, (2. Basım), Ankara: Detay Yayıncılık.
• Zengin, B., (2006), “Turizm Coğrafyası” (Türkiye Genel ve Bölgeler Turizm Coğrafyası), (2. Basım), İstanbul: Değişim Yayınları.