Plaj Kulüpleri ve Turist Bakışı: Sosyal Ayrımların İnşası Üzerine Eleştirel Bir İnceleme

Year 2024, Volume: 5 Issue: 2, 223 - 244, 30.07.2024

Mehmet Alper Nisari Emir Özeren

https://doi.org/10.54733/smar.1485144

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Çeşme turizm destinasyonunda görünürde kamusal alanlar olan plaj kulüplerinin sosyoekonomik erişilebilirliği, kapsayıcılığı ve dışlayıcı pratiklerine ilişkin artan endişeleri incelemektedir. Google haritalar çevrimiçi incelemelerinin tematik analizi, plaj kulüplerinin seçici kabul uygulamalarına ilişkin eleştirel içgörü sağlarken müşteri bakış açılarını etkileyen ve bu kulüplere yönelik yüksek talebi artıran faktörleri ortaya çıkarmıştır. Ayrıca, bulgular müşteri harcamaları ile olumlu giriş deneyimleri arasında bir ilişki olduğuna işaret etmiş; daha az harcama yapan misafirler memnuniyetsizlik ve tekrar ziyaret etme konusunda isteksizlik bildirmiştir. Temsiliyette çeşitlilik sağlamak için ağırlıklı ortalamadan uzaklıklarına dayanarak sekiz plaj kulübü incelenmiştir. Bulgular, yalnızca ayrıcalıklara sahip belirli kişilere açık olmaması gereken, daha kapsayıcı plajlar yaratma ihtiyacına yönelik çağrıyı ele almak üzere acil politik eylemde bulunmamız konusunda bizi kuvvetle teşvik etmektedir. Plaj kulüpleri örneğinde, belirli kıyafet kurallarına bağlılık ve sosyal statü ölçüsü olarak instagram takipçi sayısına yapılan vurgu, gösterişçi tüketimin ve sosyal hiyerarşilerin doxasını belirlemektedir. Söz konusu durum, ayrıcalıklı ve varlıklı kişilerin erişim olasılığının daha yüksek olduğu, diğerlerinin ise kendilerini dışlanmış veya marjinalleştirilmiş hissedebildiği bir sistemi meşrulaştırmakta ve yeniden üretmektedir. Kuramsal çerçeve olarak Pierre Bourdieu'nun sosyal teorisi ve John Urry'nin "turist bakışı" ile şekillenen bu makale, kamusal alan ve boş zaman ideallerini bozan sosyo-ekonomik engelleri ana hatlarıyla ortaya koymakta ve turistik destinasyonlarda ve lüks turizmde kapsayıcılığın yeniden değerlendirilmesine davet etmektedir.

Keywords

Bourdieu, sosyal ve kültürel sermaye, sınıf, kapsayıcılık, plaj kulübü, eleştirel turizm araştırmaları, boş zaman

Beach Clubs and Tourist Gaze: A Critical Inquiry into the Construction of Social Distinction

Abstract

This study explores the growing concerns about socioeconomic accessibility, inclusivity, and exclusionary practices of beach clubs as ostensibly public spaces in the tourism destination of Çeşme. The thematic analysis of Google Maps online reviews has provided critical insights into beach clubs’ selective admission practices and has elucidated the factors influencing customer perspectives and driving high demand for these clubs. Also, the findings revealed a relationship between customer expenditure and favorable entrance experiences; guests with lesser spending reported dissatisfaction and reluctance to revisit. Eight beach clubs with ratings deviating from the weighted average were examined to ensure diverse representation. The findings strongly encourage us to take urgent policy action to address the call for the need to create more inclusive beaches that should not be solely open to certain people with privileges. In the case of beach clubs, the adherence to specific dress codes and the emphasis on Instagram followers as a measure of social status reflect the doxa of conspicuous consumption and social hierarchies. This perpetuates a system where the privileged and affluent are more likely to gain access, while others may feel excluded or marginalized. Drawing on the solid theoretical frameworks of Pierre Bourdieu’s social theory and John Urry’s “tourist gaze,” this paper outlines the socio-economic barriers that distort ideals of public space and leisure and invites a reassessment of inclusivity in tourist destinations and luxury tourism.

Keywords

Bourdieu, social and cultural capital, class, inclusion, beach club, critical tourism research, leisure

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