BASIC CHARACTERISTICS, MOTIVATIONS, AND ACTIVITIES OF ECOTOURISTS
The aim of this article is to determine the basic characteristics, motivations, and activities of ecotourists who visit the Lake Van Basin. The research sample was selected randomly and consisted of visitors aged 18 or older. A two-page questionnaire was conducted through face-to-face interviews. A...
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | DE EN FR TR |
| Publicado: |
Fırat University
2019
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/967d6343c756432a8fd81203cf0e72cd |
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| Sumario: | The aim of this article is to determine the basic characteristics, motivations, and activities of ecotourists who visit the Lake Van Basin. The research sample was selected randomly and consisted of visitors aged 18 or older. A two-page questionnaire was conducted through face-to-face interviews. A total of 306 domestic and international ecotourists participated in the survey during the period April–December 2011 and April-December 2012. The choice to collect data during this period was deliberate, as it allowed us to maximize the chances of interviewing a large number of tourists. The findings of the research reveal that exploring nature, visiting historical sites, experiencing new things, and learning about local culture are the main motivational factors for ecotourists. While international tourists place relatively higher importance on visiting historical sites and seeing religious places, domestic tourists assign more significance to visiting friends/relatives and shopping. Furthermore, nature walks, rural tourism activities, swimming in the lake, and photo safari tours were ranked as the most popular activities by visitors. Based on the one-way ANOVA results, there is a significant difference in terms of tourism activities participated in (which include climbing, nature walks, rafting, photo safaris, and bicycle tours) by casual ecotourists, mainstream ecotourists, and dedicated ecotourists. Even though the tourists surveyed stated that they are dissatisfied with the area’s entertainment centers, recreational facilities, local infrastructure, and tourism information; they expressed their happiness with the food and drinks on offer, as well as the hospitality of local people, and accommodation facilities . Generally, the mean degree of ecotourists’ satisfaction in the research area is very high. Hence, majority of them stated that they will recommend the area to their friends, and would like to come the region again. |
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