The Socio-Economic Impact of All-Inclusive Hotels on the Sustainable Tourism in Turkey

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION3

1.1 Background of the Research3

1.2 Statement of Problem5

1.3 Aims and Objectives of Research7

1.4 Research Questions8

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW9

2.1 Understanding Sustainable Tourism9

2.2 Difference between Mass and Sustainable Tourism10

2.3 Sustainable Tourism Policy in Turkey12

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY14

3.1 Research Method and Design14

3.2 Research Participants14

3.3 Data Collection and Instrument15

3.4 Data Treatment and Analysis15

References17

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Research

The purpose of this research is to investigate the socio-economic impact of all-inclusive hotels on sustainable tourism in Turkey. The research will explore both potential social as well as economic impacts of all-inclusive on the sustainable tourism in Turkey. Tourism is emerging as one of the fastest growing industries across the globe (Birdir et al., 2013; ODI, 2011; Tosun, 2009). The nature of tourism industry always deemed to be interdependent on various global activities such as providing the significant source of revenue, providing the service sector employment and in general impacting the accelerating the economic activities within the countries (Avci, Madanoglu, & Okumus, 2011; Akbostanci, Tunc, & Turut-Asik, 2012). While tourism on large scale is generally regarded with the term “mass tourism”, it has been documented over recent years that there is an increasing demand for number of types of tourism that are regarded as alternate to mass tourism and hence collectively regarded as alternative tourism (Duman & Tanrisevdi, 2011). While there are many views regarding the differences between mass and alternative tourism, the common consensus found among numerous researchers is that mass tourism is unplanned and unmanaged tourism while alternative tourism is planned and managed tourism.

Researchers reported in their studies that more and more countries are increasingly recognizing that mass tourism is no more remains effective model for sustainable development and growth of tourism sector (Kara, Tarim & Tatoglu, 2003). The concerns of tourism development associated with mass tourism has then lead to the pathway of alternative tourism and sustainable tourism (Onder & Durgun, 2008). Sustainable tourism is generally referred to as the form of tourism that avoids damage to the environments, cultures of the locations and economic societies where it takes place. Further, Yuksel & Yuksel (2005) asserted that sustainable tourism is an emerging form of tourism that encompasses the socio-economic benefits for the residents and hosts alike, conserves resources, supports the integrity of place, respects local culture and tradition, information, strives for quality rather than quantity, does not abuse the resources of the location and means quality and enduring great trips.

Several arguments have presented in the available tourism literature of what constitutes sustainable tourism and what does not. Many researchers emphasized that while all forms of sustainable tourism can alternative tourism, all form of alternative tourism cannot be sustainable tourism especially those that do not avoid the damage to the cultures, environments and economic societies of the place, hence violating the rule of sustainability in tourism. One such form of tourism that has been subject of heated debate to be regarded as mass tourism or sustainable tourism is the ...