AN INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES AGAINST FOREIGN TOURISTS IN ISTANBUL FROM A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This study aims to investigate crimes against foreign tourists who visit Istanbul. The research has been undertaken within a qualitative research design using secondary data analysis and document analysis methods. The data were derived from official crime records concerning tourists for the period 2021–2024, gathered with special permission from the Istanbul General Directorate of Security, Tourism Branch Directorate. The findings indicate a considerable rise in crimes against tourists between 2021 and 2023, with the highest number of cases recorded in 2023, followed by a general decline in 2024. An analysis of crime types reveals that lost property cases constitute the most common category, while theft, snatching, and pickpocketing account for a substantial proportion of incidents; financial crimes also exhibit an increasing trend. Moreover, the results indicate that crime incidents vary widely with respect to the tourists’ nationality and region, hence, there is no focusing on specific country groups. By looking at crimes against tourists from a destination management perspective, this paper intends to uncover leading results that can be beneficial for destination managers and policymakers.

Keywords

• Crimes Against Tourists
• Destination Safety
• Destination Management
• Sultanahmet
• Istanbul

Supporting Institution

This study did not receive support from any institution.

Ethical Statement

The study complies with the principles of research and publication ethics.

AN INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES AGAINST FOREIGN TOURISTS IN ISTANBUL FROM A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, İstanbul’u ziyaret eden yabancı turistlere yönelik olarak işlenen suçların incelenmesidir. Araştırma, nitel araştırma deseninde ikincil veri analizi ve doküman incelemesi yöntemi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiş; veriler İstanbul Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü Turizm Şube Müdürlüğünden alınan özel izin kapsamında 2021–2024 yılları arasında turistlere yönelik işlenen suç kayıtlarından elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, 2021–2023 döneminde turistlere yönelik suç sayılarında belirgin bir artış yaşandığını, 2023 yılında vaka sayısının en yüksek seviyeye ulaştığını ve 2024 yılında ise genel bir düşüş eğiliminin ortaya çıktığını göstermektedir. Suç türleri incelendiğinde, kayıp eşya vakalarının en yaygın suç türü olduğu; hırsızlık, kapkaç ve yankesicilik gibi suçların önemli bir paya sahip bulunduğu ve mali suçların artış eğilimi sergilediği tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca suç vakalarının milliyet ve bölge açısından geniş bir dağılım gösterdiği ve belirli ülke gruplarına özgü bir yoğunlaşmanın bulunmadığı belirlenmiştir. Çalışma, turistlere yönelik suçları destinasyon yönetimi perspektifinden ele alarak destinasyon yöneticileri ve politika yapıcılar için yol gösterici bulgular sağlamayı amaçlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Turistlere Yönelik Suçlar
• Destinasyon Güvenliği
• Destinasyon Yönetimi
• Sultanahmet
• İstanbul

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma için herhangi bir kurumdan destek alınmamıştır.

Ethical Statement

Çalışma, bilimsel araştırma ve yayın etiği ilkelerine uygun olarak hazırlanmıştır.

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