Slow city perceptions of domestic tourists: The case of Gökçeada

Year 2023, , 114 - 124, 31.12.2023

Çağdaş Ertaş , Meltem Ayaz

https://doi.org/10.53601/tourismandrecreation.1386932

Abstract

Considering the philosophy of slow city, how tourists perceive it is a critical point. Although the importance of slow tourism is widely accepted, literature on tourists’ perceptions of slow cities remains insufficient. The main purpose of this research is to contribute to the literature by determining the slow city perceptions of domestic tourists as a result of their experiences in the Gökçeada example. For this purpose, a qualitative research paradigm was adopted and a phenomenology approach was applied in the study. Research data were collected using purposive sampling and structured interviews (n=20). Content analysis was applied to the data obtained. The analysis results revealed remarkable findings regarding the slow city perception of domestic tourists. The research ends with some suggestions, considering the findings and slow city philosophy.

Keywords

Slow city, Slow tourism, Perception, Gökçeada

Yerli turistlerin yavaş şehir algısı: Gökçeada örneği

Abstract

Yavaş şehir felsefesi göz önünde bulundurulduğunda, turistlerin yavaş şehir algısı kritik bir noktadır. Ancak yavaş şehirlerin önemi geniş çapta kabul görse de turistlerin yavaş şehir algısına ilişkin literatür yetersiz kalmaktadır. Bu araştırmanın temel amacı, yerli turistlerin deneyimleri sonucunda oluşan yavaş şehir algılarını Gökçeada örneğinde tespit ederek literatüre katkı sunmaktır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, araştırmada nitel araştırma paradigması benimsenmiş ve fenomenoloji yaklaşımı uygulanmıştır. Araştırma verisi amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi ve yapılandırılmış görüşme aracılığıyla toplanmıştır (n= 20). Elde edilen veriye içerik analizi uygulanmıştır. Analiz sonuçları, yerli turistlerin yavaş şehir algısına ilişkin dikkat çekici birtakım bulgular ortaya koymuştur. Araştırma, bulgular ve yavaş şehir felsefesi göz önünde bulundurularak birtakım önerilerle son bulmaktadır.

Keywords

Yavaş şehir, Yavaş turizm, Algı, Gökçeada

Ethical Statement

Bu araştırma için, Şırnak Üniversitesi Etik Kurulu’nun 21/09/2022 tarihli ve 2022/114 sayılı kararı ile etik kurul izni alınmıştır. Aksi bir durumun tespiti halinde TO&RE Dergisinin hiçbir sorumluluğu olmayıp, tüm sorumluluk çalışmanın yazar(lar)ına aittir.

References

• Aaker, D. A. (1996). Building strong brands, The Free Press, New York.
• Akkoç, İ. T. & Aksöz, E. O. (2020). Sakin şehirlerde sürdürülebilirliğin metaforik açıdan karşılaştırılması. Journal of Turkish Tourism Research, 4(1), 606-620. Erişim adresi: https://www.tutad.org/index.php/tutad/article/view/196
• Ali, F. & Amin, M. (2014). The influence of physical environment on emotions, customer satisfaction and behavioural intentions in Chinese resort hotel industry. Journal for Global Business Advancement, 7(3), 249-266. https://doi.org/10.1504/JGBA.2014.064109
• Alison, C. (2012). Advocating and implementing slow tourism. Tourism Recreation Research, 37(1), 77-80. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2012.11081690
• Baloglu, S., Busser, J. & Cain, L. (2019). Impact of experience on emotional well-being and loyalty. Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management, 28(4), 427-445. https://doi.org/10.1080/19368623.2019.1527269
• Bertan, S. & Altintaş, V. (2013). Visitors’ perception of a tourism destination: The case of Pamukkale. Tourismos: An International Multidisciplinary Journal of Tourism, 8(1), 115-132. https://doi.org/10.26215/tourismos.v8i1.331
• Bocutoğlu, E. (2012). İktisat teorisinde emeğin öyküsü: Değerin kaynağı olan emekten marjinal faydanın türevi olan emeğe yolculuk. Hak İş Uluslararası Emek ve Toplum Dergisi, 1(1), 127-150. Erişim adresi: https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/84747
• Breunig, M. (2022). Slow nature-focused leisure in the days of COVID-19: Repressive myths, social (in)justice, and hope. Annals of Leisure Research, 25(5), 637-650. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2020.1859390
• Bucak T. & Turan Ö. (2016). Bölge turizmine yeni akımların etkisi: Gökçeada yavaş yemek örneği. Journal of Yasar University, 11(43), 211-219. https://doi.org/10.19168/jyu.66409
• Campbell, S. (1996). Green cities, growing cities, just cities? Urban planning and the contradictions of sustainable development. Journal of the American Planning Association, 62(3), 296-312. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944369608975696
• Carballo, R. R., León, C. J. & Carballo, M. M. (2017). The perception of risk by international travelers. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 9(5), 534-542. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-07-2017-0032
• Cardinale, S., Nguyen, B. & Melewar, T. C. (2016). Place-based brand experience, place attachment and loyalty. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 34(3), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/MIP-04-2014-0071
• Cheng, T.-M. & Wu, H. C. (2015). How do environmental knowledge, environmental sensitivity, and place attachment affect environmentally responsible behavior? An integrated approach for sustainable island tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 23(4), 557-576. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2014.965177
• Chi, X. & Han, H. (2020). Exploring slow city attributes in mainland China: Tourist perceptions and behavioral intentions toward Chinese cittaslow. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 37(3), 361-379. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2020.1758286
• Chi, X. & Han, H. (2021). Performance of tourism products in a slow city and formation of affection and loyalty: Yaxi Cittáslow visitors’ perceptions. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(10), 1586-1612. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1860996
• Cobb-Walgren, C. J., Ruble, C. A. & Donthu, N. (1995). Brand equity, brand preference, and purchase intent. Journal of Advertising, 24(3), 25-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.1995.10673481
• Coşar, Y. (2013). Yavaş şehir (cittaslow) olgusunun turist davranışları ve yerel halkın kentsel yaşam kalitesi algısına etkileri, Doktora Tezi, Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi, Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü, Turizm İşletmeciliği Anabilim Dalı, İzmir. Erişim adresi: https://tez.yok.gov.tr/UlusalTezMerkezi/tezDetay.jsp?id=wsgEc3r-s9EpAL3F7HOWFw&no=_yDqUJm5e6Y-oVVc1DL8Bg
• Coşar, Y., Timur, A. & Kozak, M. (2015). The influence of slow city in the context of sustainable destination marketing. İçinde, A. Correia, J. Gnoth, M. Kozak & A. Fyall (Ed.), Marketing places and spaces, ss. 209-220, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds.
• Cottrell, S., van der Duim, R., Ankersmid, P. & Kelder, L. (2004). Measuring the sustainability of tourism in Manuel Antonio and Texel: A tourist perspective. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 12(5), 409-431. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669580408667247
• Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches, Sage Publication, Thousand Oaks, CA.
• Crompton, J. L. (1979). Motivations for pleasure vacation. Annals of Tourism Research, 6(4), 408-424. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(79)90004-5
• Cui, F., Liu, Y., Chang, Y., Duan, J. & Li, J. (2016). An overview of tourism risk perception. Nat Hazards, 82, 643-658. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2208-1
• Çakıcı, A. C., Yenipınar, U. & Benli, S. (2014). Yavaş şehir hareketi: Seferihisar halkının tutum ve algıları ile yaşam doyumları. Seyahat ve Otel İşletmeciliği Dergisi, 11(3), 26-41. Erişim adresi: tarihinde https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/soid/issue/11390/136042
• Çiçek, D. & Sarı, Y. (2018). Yerel halkın turizme olan desteği: Türkiye’deki sakin şehirler üzerine bir araştırma. Anatolia: Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 29(2), 185-196. https://doi.org/10.17123/atad.488175
• Dündar, Y. & Sert, A. N. (2018). Yerel halkın yavaş (sakin) şehir hakkındaki algıları: Seferihisar’da nitel bir araştırma. Journal of Turkish Tourism Research, 2(4), 74-91. Erişim adresi: https://www.tutad.org/index.php/tutad/article/view/45
• Erdogan, M. (2016). Local community perception towards slow city: Gokceada sample. Asian Social Science, 12(5), 241-246. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v12n5p241
• Erdoğan, İ. (2012). Pozitivist metodoloji ve ötesi, Erk Yayınları, Ankara.
• Ertaş, Ç. (2019). Yavaş şehirlerde turizm. İçinde, B. Kanca & Ç. Ertaş (Ed.), Turizmin geleceği: Yeni arayışlar, ss. 146-169, Detay Yayıncılık, Ankara.
• Faircloth, J. B., Capella, L. M. & Alford, B. L. (2001). The effect of brand attitude and brand image on brand equity. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 9(3), 61-75. https://doi.org/10.1080/10696679.2001.11501897
• Gnanapala, W. K. A. (2015). Tourists perception and satisfaction: Implications for destination management. American Journal of Marketing Research, 1(1), 7-19. Erişim adresi: http://www.aiscience.org/journal/ajmr
• Güneş, G., Çalışkan Arısoy, E. & Aslan, E. (2015). Cittaslow ağına dahil kentler ve sürdürülebilir turizm kriterlerine yönelik bir analiz, Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesi Sürdürülebilir Turizm Kongresi, 14-16 Mayıs 2015, ss. 311-324, Gümüşhane. Erişim adresi: https://kutuphane.gumushane.edu.tr/media/uploads/kutuphane/files/surdurulebilir_turizm_kongresi_bildiri_kitabi.pdf
• Hall, C. M. (2018). Quantitative and qualitative content analysis. İçinde, R. Nunkoo (Ed.), Handbook of research methods in tourism and hospitality management, ss. 395-406, Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton, MA, USA.
• Han, H., Eom, T., Al-Ansi, A., Ryu, H. B. & Kim, W. (2019a). Community-based tourism as a sustainable direction in destination development: An empirical examination of visitor behaviors. Sustainability, 11(10), 2864. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11102864
• Han, J. H., Kim, J. S., Lee, C. & Kim, N. (2019b). Role of place attachment dimensions in tourists’ decision-making process in Cittaslow. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 11, 108-119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2018.12.008
• Heitmann, S., Robinson, P. & Povey, G. (2011). Slow food, slow cities and slow tourism. İçinde, P. Robinson, S. Heitmann & P. Dieke (Ed.), Research themes for tourism, ss. 114-127, CABI, UK.
• Henderson, G. R., Iacobucci, D. & Calder, B. J. (1998). Brand diagnostics: Mapping branding effects using consumer association networks. European Journal of Operational Research, 111(2), 306-327. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-2217(98)00151-9
• Huang, T.-Y. T., Chen, J. S. & Ramos, W. D. (2023). Slow tourism: The relationship between tourists’ slow food experiences and their quality of life. Tourism Review, 78(1), 159-176. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-02-2022-0053
• Hung, K., Peng, N. & Chen, A. (2019). Incorporating on-site activity involvement and sense of belonging into the Mehrabian-Russell model-The experiential value of cultural tourism destinations. Tourism Management Perspectives, 30, 43-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2019.02.003
• Ibrahim, E. E. & Gill, J. (2005). A positioning strategy for a tourist destination, based on analysis of customers’ perceptions and satisfactions. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 23(2), 172-188. https://doi.org/10.1108/02634500510589921
• Jin, Q. & Pearce, P. (2011). Tourist perception of crowding and management approaches at tourism sites in Xi'an. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 16(3), 325-338. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2011.572667
• Joo, D., Cho, H. & Woosnam, K. M. (2019). Exploring tourists' perceptions of tourism impacts. Tourism Management Perspectives, 31, 231-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2019.05.008
• Jung, T., Ineson, E. M., Kim, M. & Yap, M. H. (2015). Influence of festival attribute qualities on slow food tourists’ experience, satisfaction level and revisit intention: The case of The Mold Food and Drink Festival. Journal of Vacation Marketing, 21(3), 277-288. https://doi.org/10.1177/1356766715571389
• Kim, J. H., King, B. E. M. & Kim, S. S. (2022). Developing a slow city tourism evaluation index: A delphi-AHP review of cittaslow requirements. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(4), 846-874. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1897130
• Knox, P. L. & Mayer, H. (2009). Small town sustainability, economic, social and environmental innovation. Birkhaeuser Verlag AG, Berlin.
• Kurnaz, H. A. & İpar, M. S. (2020). Yavaş şehir Akyaka’da aşırı turizm olgusunun esnafın bakış açısıyla değerlendirilmesi. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Issues, 2(1), 39-55. Erişim adresi: tarihinde https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/johti/issue/55264/746938
• Lin, L.-P. (2017). Industrial tourists' behavioral intention toward slow travel in Taiwan. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(3), 379-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1213848
• Losada, N. & Mota, G. (2019). 'Slow down, your movie is too fast': Slow tourism representations in the promotional videos of the Douro Region (Northern Portugal). Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 11, 140-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdmm.2018.12.007
• Lumsdon, L. M. & McGrath, P. (2011). Developing a conceptual framework for slow travel: A grounded theory approach. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 19(3), 265-279. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2010.519438
• Mayer, H. & Knox, P. L. (2006). Slow cities: Sustainable places in a fast world. Journal of Urban Affairs, 28(4), 321-334. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9906.2006.00298.x
• Mehran, J., Olya, H. G. T., Han, H. & Kapuscinski, G. (2020). Determinants of canal boat tour participant behaviours: An explanatory mixed-method approach. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing, 37(1), 112-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2020.1720890
• Meng, B. & Choi, K. (2016). The role of authenticity in forming slow tourists’ intentions: Developing an extended model of goal-directed behavior. Tourism Management, 57, 397-410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.07.003
• Mishra, P. K., Rout, H. B. & Mohapatra, S. S. (2011). Causality between tourism and economic growth: Empirical evidence from India. European Journal of Social Sciences, 18(4), 518-527. Erişim adresi: https://www.europeanjournalofsocialsciences.com/issues/EJSS_18_4.html
• Mohamad, M., Abdullah, A. R. & Mokhlis, S. (2012). Tourists’ evaluations of destination image and future behavioural intention: The case of Malaysia. Journal of Management and Sustainability, 2(1), 181-189. https://doi.org/10.5539/jms.v2n1p181
• Molz, J. G. (2009). Representing pace in tourism mobilities: Staycations, slow travel and the amazing race. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 7(4), 270-286. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766820903464242
• Murphy, P., Pritchard, M. P. & Smith, B. (2000). The destination product and its impact on traveller perceptions. Tourism Management, 21, 43-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(99)00080-1
• O’Cass, A. & Grace, D. (2003). An exploratory perspective of service brand associations. Journal of Services Marketing, 17(5), 452-475. https://doi.org/10.1108/08876040310486267
• Oh, H., Assaf, A. G. & Baloglu, S. (2016). Motivations and goals of slow tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 55(2), 205-219. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287514546228
• Örs, H., Ermeç, A. Çatlı, Ö. & Çağay, A. (2022). An investigation on the relationship between slowness level of Cittaslow perceived by tourists, voluntary simplicity lifestyle and environmental sensitivity: The case of Cittaslow Seferihisar. Current Issues in Tourism, 25(8), 1242-1257. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2022.2047165
• Özdemir, G. & Çelebi, D. (2018). Exploring dimensions of slow tourism motivation. Anatolia, 29(4), 540-552. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2018.1460854
• Park, H.-J. & Lee, T. J. (2019). Influence of the ‘slow city’ brand association on the behavioural intention of potential tourists. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(12), 1405-1422. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2017.1391753
• Pavlović, D., Avlijaš, G. & Stanić, N. (2016). Tourist perception as key indicator of destination competitiveness. TEME, 40(2), 853-868. Erişim adresi: http://teme2.junis.ni.ac.rs/index.php/TEME/article/view/215
• Pecsek, B. (2016). Revitalizing tourism in small regional towns through folklore-driven slow tourism: The example of Matyó Land, Hungary. Dos Algarves: A Multidisciplinary e-Journal, 27, 94-119. https://doi.org/10.18089/DAMeJ.2016.27.5
• Polas, M. R. H., Saha, R. K. & Tabash, M. I. (2022). How does tourist perception lead to tourist hesitation? Empirical evidence from Bangladesh. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 24, 3659-3686. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01581-z
• Rabianski, J. & Carn, N. G. (1992). Cross-examination: How to protect yourself and the appraisal report. The Appraisal Journal, 60(4), 472-482. Erişim adresi: https://eds.s.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=17c66171-8d01-442b-8dca-e547aec9fcda%40redis
• Sangpikul, A. (2010). Marketing ecotourism through the internet: A case of ecotourism business in Thailand. International Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Administration, 11(2), 107-137. https://doi.org/10.1080/15256481003732782
• Shang, W., Qiao, G. & Chen, N. (2020). Tourist experience of slow tourism: From authenticity to place attachment-a mixed-method study based on the case of slow city in China. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 25(2), 170-188. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2019.1683047
• Solomon, M.R. (2001). Consumer behaviour: Buying, having, being, Prentice Hall, New Jersy.
• Su, L. & Swanson, S. R. (2017). The effect of destination social responsibility on tourist environmentally responsible behavior: Compared analysis of first-time and repeat tourists. Tourism Management, 60, 308-321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.12.011
• Tang, C., Zheng, Q., Qin, N., Sun, Y., Wang, S. & Feng, L. (2017). A review of green development in the tourism industry. Journal of Resources and Ecology, 8(5), 449-459. https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2017.05.002
• Taşpınar, O. & Karakaş, N. (2017). Destinasyon konumlandırma stratejisi kapsamında cittaslow hareketi: Gökçeada örneği. Aksaray Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 1(2), 18-35. Erişim adresi: http://aseddergi.aksaray.edu.tr/tr/pub/issue/39720/470460
• Tsai, C.-T. (2016). Memorable tourist experiences and place attachment when consuming local food. International Journal of Tourism Research, 18(6), 536-548. https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.2070
• Tunçer, M. & Olgun, A. (2017). Seferihisar’ın ekonomik ve mali yapısı üzerinden yavaş şehir uygulamalarına ilişkin bir inceleme. Uluslararası Ekonomi ve Yenilik Dergisi, 3(1), 47-72. https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.297748
• Ünal, Ç. (2016). Turizm coğrafyasında yeni kavramlar “yavaş şehirler ve yavaş turizm”. Doğu Coğrafya Dergisi, 21(36), 13-28. https://doi.org/10.17295/dcd.09928
• Walker, T. B. & Lee, T. J. (2019). Visitor and resident perceptions of the slow city movement: The case of Japan. International Journal of Tourism Sciences, 19(2), 112-127. https://doi.org/10.1080/15980634.2019.1621535
• Woosnam, K. M. (2012). Using emotional solidarity to explain residents’ attitudes about tourism and tourism development. Journal of Travel Research, 51(3), 315-327. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287511410351
• Yıldırım, A. & Şimşek, H. (2018). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri. Seçkin Yayıncılık, Ankara.
• Yoo, B., Donthu, N. & Lee, S. (2000). An examination of selected marketing mix elements and brand equity. Journal of Academy of Marketing Science, 28(2), 195-211. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092070300282002
• Yu, X., Li, Y. & Zhou, X. (2017). Tourist towns from the perspective of “slow city” model-a study of planning and design of waterfront space in Fuliang County, Jingdezhen. 6th International Conference on Energy and Environmental Protection, 29-30 Haziran 2017, ss. 875-880, Zhuhai. https://doi.org/10.2991/iceep-17.2017.152