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The relationship between local residents’ perceptions of tourism and their happiness: a case of Kusadasi, Turkey

Ahmet Bulent Ozturk (Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA)
Ozgur Ozer (Faculty of Tourism, Department of Tourism Guidance, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey)
Uğur Çaliskan (Research, Strategy Development and Planning Unit, Serhat Development Agency, Kars, Turkey)

Tourism Review

ISSN: 1660-5373

Article publication date: 17 August 2015

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the local residents’ attitudes of tourism in Kusadasi, Turkey. In addition, the relationship between residents’ attitudes toward tourism and their overall perceived happiness was analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

A correlational, quantitative research technique was used in this study. The data of this study were collected from 383 local residents in Kusadasi, Turkey. Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to analyze the data.

Findings

The results of the study indicated that local residents had favorable attitudes toward tourism in terms of its positive economic, cultural and environmental impact. Study results also indicated that negative economic impact of tourism was found to be the least favorable construct associated with residents’ attitudes toward tourism in Kusadasi. In addition, multiple regression analysis indicated that local residents’ perceived overall happiness was significantly influenced by positive and negative cultural and environmental impact and positive economic impact factors.

Originality/value

The findings of the study provide valuable information to tourism planners and decision makers seeking to build a resident friendly tourism destination in Kusadasi, Turkey.

Keywords

Citation

Ozturk, A.B., Ozer, O. and Çaliskan, U. (2015), "The relationship between local residents’ perceptions of tourism and their happiness: a case of Kusadasi, Turkey", Tourism Review, Vol. 70 No. 3, pp. 232-242. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-09-2014-0053

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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