The Effects of Thermal Facilities, Place Dependence, and Destination Image on Revisit Intention: An Application in Eynal Hot Springs

Öz

Throughout history, the health benefits of hot springs have drawn millions of individuals globally. However, given today’s tourist profile, determining the re/visit intention of tourists requires a more complex process than simply evaluating the benefits of hot springs. Thus, the study aims to find out the effects of thermal facilities, place dependence, and destination image on the revisit intention of tourists. Furthermore, the mediating role of destination image between thermal facilities and revisit intention as well as place dependence and revisit intention is aimed to be investigated. Accordingly, quantitative research methods have been utilized in the study. Adapting convenience sampling technique, data was obtained from 201 tourists visiting Eynal Hot Springs. The findings indicated that thermal facilities and place dependence had no direct effects on revisit intention. However, destination image mediated the relationship between place dependence and revisit intention. The study findings are discussed in detail. Furthermore, theoretical and practical implications are highlighted for both practitioners and researchers.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Thermal facilities
• place dependence
• destination image
• revisit intention
• thermal tourism

Termal Olanaklar, Mekân Bağımlılığı ve Destinasyon İmajının Tekrar Ziyaret Niyetine Etkisi: Eynal Kaplıcalarında Bir Uygulama

Öz

Tarih boyunca, kaplıcaların sağlığa olan faydaları küresel çapta milyonlarca kişiyi bu yörelere çekmiştir. Ancak, günümüzün turist profili göz önünde bulundurulduğu takdirde, turistlerin kaplıcaları ziyaret veya tekrar ziyaret niyetinin belirlenmesi yalnızca kaplıcaların faydalarını değerlendirme altına almaktan daha karmaşık bir süreç gerektirmektedir. Bu bağlamda, çalışmanın temel amacı termal olanaklar, mekan bağımlılığı ve destinasyon imajının turistlerin tekrar ziyaret niyeti üzerindeki etkilerini belirlemektir. Aynı zamanda çalışma kapsamında termal olanaklar ile tekrar ziyaret niyeti ve mekan bağımlılığı ile tekrar ziyaret niyeti arasında destinasyon imajının aracılık rolünün araştırılması da ayrıca hedeflenmektedir. Bu doğrultuda çalışma kapsamında nicel araştırma yöntemleri kullanılmıştır. Kolayda örnekleme tekniği ile Eynal Kaplıcaları'nı ziyaret eden 201 turistten veri elde edilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda termal olanakların ve mekân bağımlılığının tekrar ziyaret niyeti üzerinde doğrudan bir etkisinin olmadığını belirlenmiştir. Ancak, destinasyon imajı, mekan bağımlılığı ile tekrar ziyaret niyeti arasındaki ilişkide aracılık etkisine sahiptir. Çalışma kapsamında elde edilen bulgular ayrıntılı olarak tartışılmıştır. Ayrıca, elde edilen bulgular ışığında saha uzmanları ve araştırmacılar için önerilerde bulunulmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Termal olanaklar
• Mekan Bağımlılığı
• Destinasyon imajı
• Tekrar ziyaret niyeti
• termal turizm

Kaynakça

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