EVALUATION OF LOCAL PEOPLE'S PERCEPTIONS OF THE TOURISM ACTIVITIES DEVELOPMENT REGARDING DESTINATION MANAGEMENT

Abstract

In terms of destination management, the research sought to determine local people's perspectives of the development of tourism activities in Mersin Province [Turkey], which aims to offer differing tourism types of alternatives, including sea-sand-sun tourism. For this objective, a questionnaire was applied in which data was obtained from 385 persons living in Mersin. This questionnaire asks participants about their perceptions of the socio-cultural, economic development, social distortion, cultural distortion, environmental distortion, and cumulative impact of the development of tourism activities. The collected data was analyzed, and the study findings were attained. The research results were evaluated concerning demographic variables such as gender, age, education level, and income. It was concluded that local people's perceptions about the development of tourism activities were not differentiated by gender. Furthermore, it was discovered that there is a considerable difference in their perceptions of socio-cultural, social distortion, cultural distortion; and their overall impact according to age, particularly among persons between the ages of 18 and 35. When the research findings were reviewed by education and income variables, it was discovered that the participants' perceptions about the impact of tourism activities on socio-cultural and economic development differed significantly, particularly among those with an income of 9000 TL or more and a graduate education.