e-ISSN: 3023-6169
Login Register |

Tourist Destination
Back to Home 6 Published Issues
Journal Archive Tourist Destination

All Volumes & Issues

Browse all past volumes and issues published in our journal, or search within the archive.

Clear

Search Results (10)

"Management"
research Vol. 4, No. 1 (2026) • pp. 65-85

Smart destination applications in Türkiye and global examples: A comparative analysis

Hasene Nur Gök, Şule Aydın

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of smart city/destination applications in Türkiye and around the world and to identify areas where smart destination management can be further developed in Türkiye. The research was designed using a multiple-case study approach within the framework of qualitative research. Document review was utilized as the data collection technique, and secondary sources such as academic studies, institutional reports, municipal websites, strategy documents, project descriptions, and digital destination applications were evaluated. The study’s sample was determined using purposive sampling; a total of ten cities were included in the analysis: Benidorm, Singapore, Helsinki, Amsterdam, and Valencia from around the world, and Konya, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, and Mugla from Türkiye. The global cities were treated as the global reference group, while the Turkish cities were treated as the local analysis group. The data were analyzed using a thematic analysis method that combined deductive and inductive approaches. As a result of the analysis, nine main themes were identified: smart governance and institutional capacity; smart transportation and mobility; digital services and local resident/visitor experience; data-driven management and digital infrastructure; smart tourism and cultural heritage management; environmental sustainability and resource management; accessibility, inclusivity, and visitor convenience; innovation ecosystem and experimental applications; and security, risk, and resilience management. The findings indicate that cities in Türkiye have advanced examples, particularly in transportation integration, mobile municipal services, digital payment systems, geographic information system (GIS)-based mapping, and tourist information applications. In contrast, it was determined that in cities around the world, data-driven decision support systems, digital twin applications, environmental sensor infrastructures, capacity management, living lab applications, institutional certification, and inclusive accessibility solutions have developed in a more comprehensive and measurable manner. In conclusion, the study highlights that smart destination applications in Türkiye should not remain limited to the level of digital service delivery but must be transformed into data-driven, sustainable, inclusive, measurable, and integrated destination management systems.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21759169
research Vol. 4, No. 1 (2026) • pp. 47-63

The glass ceiling experiences and professional challenges of female employees in travel agencies: A qualitative study in Düzce province

Muhammet Caner Kaya, Meryem Muhafiz, Ezgi Aydemir, Meryem Demirkal, Hilal Akyol

Women’s participation in the workforce has increased in various sectors both globally and in Turkey following the Industrial Revolution. However, despite this increase, women remain underrepresented in senior management positions. This situation points to the existence of invisible barriers that limit women’s career advancement and is explained in the literature by the concept of the “glass ceiling.” The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of the glass ceiling that women face in their professional lives, the validity of this phenomenon under current conditions, and the difficulties women encounter in their participation in the workforce, specifically within the context of the tourism sector. In the literature, glass ceiling barriers are generally addressed in three dimensions: individual, organizational, and societal. Individual barriers are associated with women’s self-confidence, career perceptions, and professional attitudes; organizational barriers are linked to internal organizational practices, promotion processes, and discriminatory approaches; and societal barriers are related to traditional gender roles and expectations regarding work-life balance. The tourism sector is one of the areas where female employees’ experiences with the glass ceiling have become more visible due to long working hours, a fast-paced work environment, a seasonal employment structure, and working conditions that require emotional labor. Accordingly, this study was conducted within a qualitative research framework to examine the professional experiences of women working at Group A travel agencies in Düzce Province and to identify the barriers they face in their career development. Data for the study were collected through semi-structured interviews with three female participants and analyzed using content analysis. The study found that individual, organizational, and societal barriers affect women’s career development to varying degrees; recommendations were developed to strengthen women’s employment in the tourism sector and support their career development processes.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21378221
research Vol. 4, No. 1 (2026) • pp. 18-33

Tourists' negative destination behaviours: A systematic review and conceptual framework of destination rejection, avoidance and boycott

Hakan BENEK

Despite decades of scholarship on destination choice, satisfaction, and loyalty, the question of why tourists deliberately refuse, avoid, or boycott destinations has remained conceptually fragmented. Multiple overlapping constructs  (destination rejection, avoidance, boycott, repulsion, and non-visitation intention) circulate in the literature without consistent definitional boundaries. This paper does not claim to establish a new independent research domain; rather, it performs an integrative conceptual clarification: a typological refinement that specifies the distinct psychological mechanisms, antecedent structures, and management implications of each form of negative destination behaviour. Drawing on a systematic review and conceptual synthesis of 29 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2026, conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines (Page et al., 2021), the paper identifies four thematically and mechanistically distinct clusters: (1) active destination rejection, (2) protective/risk-based avoidance, (3) moral/political boycott, and (4) negative image-based passive non-selection. Two theoretically primary mechanisms are designated: Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) for risk-based avoidance, and Social Identity Theory (SIT) for boycott and identity-based rejection. Six additional theoretical frameworks serve as complementary rather than co-equal explanatory resources. Two exploratory effect-size syntheses are reported in Appendix C as illustrative material  ( not as meta-analytic claims ) noting that full pooling was not feasible due to limited effect-size comparability across studies. The most important practical implication is type-specificity: the management response to moral/political boycott must be fundamentally different from the response to risk-based avoidance or passive non-selection. Implications for DMOs and an eight-priority future research agenda are provided.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.20744602
Research Papers Vol. 3, No. 2 (2026) • pp. 87-99

Haute Cuisine, Cultural Capital, and Tourist Destination Image: A Qualitative Study from Türkiye

Osman Özer

This study approaches haute cuisine and fine dining not only as an area of gastronomic development but also as a strategic tool for the image building, international positioning, and competitive differentiation of tourist destinations. The primary objective of the research is to examine the role of the fine dining ecosystem in Turkey on destination image from a multi-stakeholder perspective and to reveal its contributions to the destination marketing and management literature. The research was designed within the qualitative research paradigm using a phenomenological approach; data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. A total of 19 participants, selected through purposive sampling, consisted of Michelin-starred chefs, fine dining restaurant owners, young generation chefs, gastronomy academics, gastronomy writers, consumers who regularly experience fine dining, and international gastrotourists. The data obtained were analyzed using thematic analysis. The research findings show that fine dining experiences enhance the perceived prestige, cultural sophistication, and experiential value of destinations. Fine dining stands out as a symbolic tool that highlights the dimensions of exclusivity and quality in destination image, especially for tourist segments with high spending potential. It was determined that international guides such as the Michelin Guide play an important role in increasing the global visibility of Turkey's fine dining scene; however, this visibility has not yet been transformed into a comprehensive and sustainable strategy in the context of destination marketing and management. In conclusion, the study reveals that fine dining is not only a gastronomic value for Turkey but also a strategic asset in terms of destination image and international competitiveness; it offers important theoretical and practical insights in the context of destination management, gastronomic diplomacy, and brand positioning.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18118050
Theoretical paper Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 1-12

The role of leadership and emotional intelligence in destination management: A conceptual review

Seçkin Kodal

This study examines the importance of leaders' emotional intelligence skills in the tourism sector and their impact on both employee performance and destination management. Emotional intelligence refers to the ability of leaders to understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others and to behave accordingly. In the management of tourism destinations, high levels of emotional intelligence in leaders can have positive effects not only on employee motivation and job satisfaction, but also on the sustainability and competitiveness of the destination. This article discusses the relationship between emotional intelligence and leadership within a theoretical framework and discusses the applications of these two concepts in the tourism sector and especially in destination management. By analyzing the research in the literature, the effects of emotional intelligence on leadership and its benefits in the context of destination management are emphasized and practical suggestions are presented in this framework.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13284064
Theoretical paper Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 35-42

Environmental, social and economic dilemmas of outdoor recreation and tourism: A conceptual research

Ayten Özçelik, İlker Gül

Tourism activities encompass a wide range of experiences. Industrialized tourism in our country is clustered in specific locations with hotels, restaurants and entertainment areas and is planned in the same way as industrial areas. Facilities and regulations are part of tourism development. On the other hand, tourism also manifests itself in open spaces and nature. Camping activities, caravan tourism activities, nature walks can be counted among common recreational activities. Unlike established tourism activities, such outdoor recreational activities are relatively unregulated by the legislator and have a high degree of mobility. While they bring the economic effects of tourism to areas where there is no facility, they also bring environmental, social and managerial impacts. At this point, such open space recreations, which can be spread over large areas, provide economic benefits throughout the country, while also presenting environmental and social dilemmas as a problem. This conceptual discussion aims to draw on the existing literature and research to identify the problems associated with open space activities and to provide implications for policy makers and tourists.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.14253819
Theoretical paper Vol. 2, No. 1 (2024) • pp. 13-23

The role of destination carrying capacity within the framework of flow theory

Yusuf Karakuş, Eren Erkılıç

This study addresses the critical relationship between tourist destination carrying capacity and flow theory. In this way, a framework has been drawn by focusing on its complex impact on sustainable destination management. Tourism carrying capacity, defined as the maximum number of tourists that a destination can accommodate without compromising environmental integrity, the well-being of local people or visitor satisfaction, is of central importance in ensuring long-term sustainability. At the same time, flow theory, which defines the state of commitment and satisfaction experienced by individuals, provides an important framework for improving the quality of tourist experiences. This article argues that balancing the carrying capacity of a destination with the principles of flow theory is vital for both environmental sustainability and high-quality visitor experiences. Although issues related to carrying capacity are frequently studied, providing a perspective within the framework of flow theory can provide a better understanding of the existing realities of destination management mechanisms. In this context, the originality of this study is that the literature is examined from a theoretical perspective and the problems related to carrying capacity management are explained from different perspectives. As a result of the theoretical findings, managerial and theoretical suggestions are presented.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13331419
Theoretical paper Vol. 1, No. 1 (2023) • pp. 15-23

Navigating tourist preferences: The role of cognitive shortcuts in destination choice

Yusuf Karakuş

Theoretical research explores the intricate process of tourist destination selection, focusing on cognitive psychology and cognitive shortcuts. These cognitive shortcuts, which simplify decision-making, are studied in the context of visitor choices. Drawing from cognitive psychology, consumer behavior, and tourism studies, the study comprehensively examines cognitive heuristics, how they relate to perception, motivation, trust, and preferences. Influential factors include destination image, marketing, risk perception, and culture. The study not only enhances understanding but also offers practical insights for Destination Management Organizations. Strategies include shaping destination image, addressing travel risks, and reducing choice overload. In essence, this research illuminates the cognitive shortcuts shaping tourist preferences and provides guidance for adapting to the evolving travel landscape.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10053678
Theoretical paper Vol. 1, No. 1 (2023) • pp. 25-32

The role of contingency theory for tourist destinations management

Eda Kaya, Muhammet Caner Kaya

Contingency theory, known for its ability to adapt to dynamic conditions in an environment, has increasingly come to the fore as an agent of change in the ever-changing environment of the tourism industry. This study looks at the application of contingency theory in the tourism industry, with a particular focus on crisis management, community engagement, technological integration and the promotion of sustainable practices. The potential of the theory to be effective in managing uncertainties and promoting resilience in tourism destinations is presented in its ability to provide perspective. Furthermore, the paper recommends the application of the studies presented to investigate the enduring effects of contingency-oriented strategies on the long-term viability of tourism destinations. This paper emphasizes the interaction between contingency theory and new paradigms such as ecotourism, sustainable development and heritage conservation. It also suggests using contingency theory as a framework for understanding visitor behavior to increase the resilience, sustainability, and resilience of tourism destinations that are dynamic and complex.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10251165
Theoretical paper Vol. 1, No. 1 (2023) • pp. 33-39

Motivated tourists: Gastronomy image and its implications for destination managers

Gökhan Onat

The purpose of this theoretical paper is to provide the reader with a better understanding of the phenomenon by investigating the major relevance that gastronomy image has in the field of tourism destination management. The author makes use of the insights that can be obtained from the theory of motivation to provide direction for their subsequent investigation. Through its findings, the study sheds light on the numerous ways in which gastronomy influences the allure of locales, the degree of contentment that tourists have, and the entire experience that they have while they are on vacation. The purpose of this article is to investigate the ways in which gastronomy image have an impact on the choices that tourists make, as well as the activities that they engage in and the choices that they make. This paper draws conclusions based on previous research and conceptual frameworks that have been previously established.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.10454540