Theses supervised by Habib (Supervisor) Alipour
11 theses · Eastern Mediterranean University
Glamping Tourism, Potentials and Prospects: A View from German Tourism Organizations/Institutions
The outdoor hospitality sector, which incorporates campsites, convoy parks, entertainment vehicle parks, and glamping (glamorous camping); have attracted tourists’ attention worldwide. These forms of holidays are means to escape the overcrowded urban areas, socialization, and opportunity to have a new experience, as well as experience nature and environment first hand. However, glamping as a niche tourism has combined the camping in the nature with a touch of luxury for a niche market. The main aim of this study is to explore the factors that resulted in the growth of this form of tourism. In addition, to explore the characteristics of glamping patrons. Furthermore, the study is focused on the role of glamping as a tourism activity and its relationship with sustainable tourism. For the purpose of this study, a qualitative research method based on in-depth interview with glamping organizers in the case of Germany has been focused. The findings revealed that most of the patrons of glamping are up-market tourists who are seeking a new experience and adventure. Study has also revealed that patrons of glamping are interested in nature and at the same time desire luxurious services and comforts. This type of tourism is somewhat unexplored, and this study is an attempt to fill this gap. Implications and contribution of this study is also discussed.
Reviving Moroccan Tourism Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges for Tourism Institutions
This thesis aims to identify the COVID-19's impact and challenges for tourism institutions in Morocco, the sudden interruption of national and international flights and the closure of the entire tourism sector due the pandemic COVID-19 crisis have resulted in a negative stoppage of activity. The COVID-19 crisis is a mix of a crisis. To prevent further spread of COVID-19, governments around the world have taken radical action such as closing entire countries, causing a massive shock to the global tourism industry. For hotels and airlines, the COVID-19 virus is forcing, times are very hard. The importance of jobs and contribution to the economy in general is critical, particularly for country like Morocco, where activity is important to the economy. The primary objective of this study is to propose a long-term reflection for a global revision of the Moroccan tourism model. In this revision, domestic demand should be placed at the center of the system, rather than always being seen as a simple palliative. The results of the analysis revealed that the major challenges confronting the tourism industry due to COVID-19 are; health and safety concerns, challenges in reopening doors of all tourism sectors, in face of national and international Customer, and travel restrictions. The “Welcome Safely” label, based on the health safety in the context of prevention related to COVID-19 for Moroccan tourist establishments, in collaboration with the authorities competent Moroccan sanitary facilities. Keywords: COVID-19 Pandemic, Post-COVID-19, Morocco, Hospitality Industry, Tourism Sector, Domestic Tourism, Risk Management.
Destination Landscape Attributes Influencing Tourists’ Perceptions of Image: Evidence from a Coastal Destination
It is clear that there is a connection with building design and tourism in this study wants to figure out an important role of united making design landscape attributes in Famagusta (Northern Cyprus) as an example. Moreover, this research wants to survey the effect of these attributes on travelers' in terms of satisfaction and intention to return, and also, the aim of this thesis is to test the direct impact of destination landscape attributes on visitor's, tourist’s quality of experience or memorability, trip satisfaction and intention to return. This survey used the paper base and the total responses were 163 collected. The quantitative study method making SPSS has used to examine the thesis hypothesis. Outcomes display the different destination landscape attributes that have an effect on the Cyprus travelers in terms of quality of experience both positively and negatively. The tourist's quality of the experience played an important role in first of visitors' trip satisfaction and also the mediator in destination landscape attributes and intention to return which study shows that the flow of making Cyprus visitors' aims of small coastal towns carrying with their conception from destination landscape attributes, the quality of experience or memorability, and also trip satisfaction in considering. According to the outcome, both theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and suggestions for future study are considered.
Modeling the Position of Using the Tourism Relationship Management System (TRM) Adopting Artificial Intelligence Methodology
For thousands of years, human beings have moved and travelled constantly for a range of reasons. These movements and travels are not typical of tourism today. Throughout the years, the composition, the time, the place, and the effects of travel have changed. Visiting another environment voluntarily is what is referred to as tourism. Tourism today is considered to be an important tool in identifying national and cultural identity, education, income, growth, and economic dynamism. An overview of the methods used in tourism recommendation systems, especially those that rely on user ratings for the generation of a proposal, is provided in this dissertation. To find similar users, these methods use similarity criteria between users. With more users and items in the system, the number of items that are commonly rated decreases, and group refining methods have difficulty finding users who are similar to the target user. Model-based method for categorizing users or items in the system is proposed using a new clustering method. In the proposed clustering method, users or items are classified into different clusters based on their trust relationships with other users. A comparison of the proposed method with other tested methods shows that based on the evaluation criteria used, it is more effective than the others.
An Analysis of Challenges and Potentials of Destination for Tourists with Disability. Evidence form North Cyprus
The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges and opportunities of accessible tourism (hereafter 'AT') for persons with disabilities and the implications for the development of accessible tourism in the case of North Cyprus. Also, examine the structural relationships between perceived value (PV) and satisfaction, with emphasis on the mediating role of destination image (DI). For data collection, 250 questionnaires were distributed to people with disabilities living in Northern Cyprus. Advanced structural equation modelling techniques (SEM - SmartPLS), linear regressions, ANOVA and t-tests were used to analyses the data in order to investigate the relationships between variables and test the research hypothesis. Our results confirm several important points: First, there are measurable deficits in accessible tourism despite the destination's great potential in terms of attractions and recreational facilities. Secondly our result, support the hypothesis that destination image mediates the relationship between perceived value and satisfaction for people with disabilities. This study provides insights into the needs of people with disabilities and formulates guidelines for adapting and developing this market for destinations that depend on tourism. Last but not least, a cultural orientation approach that educates residents to respect and accept the rights of the disabled population must be adopted.
An Assessment of University Facilities – From Edu-Tourist's Perspective; the Case of EMU
Measuring customer satisfaction is one of the most important activities for any organization. An organization that can measure its customer satisfaction, in fact, it is constantly facing its vital signs, and it can control them and move its organization forward according to them. EMU is the largest university in Northern Cyprus. Also, EMU has outstanding infrastructure. The main purpose of this study is "to probe outlooks' of EMU's students about the university’s facilities". Students' perspective assessed in some elements of facilities of the university such as accommodation, library, sports areas, café & restaurants, transportation and health center. The result of findings can help the university to find out which factor is good enough to satisfy students. This research tried to obtain a measure of student satisfaction about EMU facilities. Since a number of students were dissatisfied with the services and costs of the university, it is better for private and public sector decision makers to pay special attention to those sectors. Since increasing the level of satisfaction with the facilities and services of the university can increase academic success and achievement, decision makers should pay special attention to the needs and wants of students.
Examining the Impact of Covid-19 on Restaurants: the Case of Famagusta/TRNC
In the 21st century, the world is facing a phenomenon called COVID-19, which can be called the most dangerous and challenging human phenomenon after the Spanish flu of 1918-1920. This study aims to investigate the effect of Covid-19 on Famagusta restaurants. Restaurant services and location play an important role in terms of customer experience that can lead to customer satisfaction and loyalty in the restaurant industry in a pandemic. Northern Cyprus government has imposed Movement Control Order (MCO) for preventing the spread of this disease. The main purpose of this thesis is to understand what effects Covid-19 has had on the Famagusta restaurants. By examining how restaurant services work during this pandemic to survive, we can examine the impacts of Covid-19 on restaurants. In between the 14 restaurants interviewed, all of them are in the same location. However, some of them are fast food, some are family restaurants, and some have a brand, which we will see the effects of the pandemic have almost the same effect on Famagusta restaurants. However, the reactions of restaurant owners before these challenges are similar in some cases. In this dissertation, we will explain more about their problems and their acts, according to interviewed with Famagusta restaurant owners/managers. To better understand the impact of covid-19 on restaurants in Famagusta/TRNC, we used a qualitative method to conduct face-to-face interviews.
Is the Revival of Maras a Viable Dark Tourism Destination: a View from Tourism Operators
Dark tourism, in the context of aforementioned statement, has become a new form of tourism, recent studies show that dark tourism or tourism based on suffering and death has a special place; despite the general fear of death, the interest of tourists to visit places that have experienced natural and manmade disasters is growing. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the case of Maras (called also Varosha in Greek), which has been subject of discussion and debate for many years. The main research question was that is the revival of Maras a viable dark tourism destination. The method of the present research is qualitative. The statistical population of the study is experts. Sampling method in the present study is the purposeful sampling method. In the current study, the number of selected samples will be 15. In the present study, exploratory and semi-structured interview tools are used. Results of the research highlighted some important issues regarding dark tourism in the Maras. The findings can be used by politicians, managers, planners, governors and others working in this sector. Therefore we suggested the Reduce South Cyprus' opposition and propaganda by establishing agreements because it will happen in the near future and develop an agreement between Southern Cyprus and Northern Cyprus to use its interests equally.
Examining the Response Behavior of the Tourism Sector Towards Social Media as an Innovative Tool to Combat the Negative Impact of the Political Challenges
Digitalization-oriented transformation provides enormous possibilities to all sectors, ranging from manufacturing to the service industries. This study aimed to investigate the role of social media and its utilization by tourism operators/policymakers as a catalyst to enhance the image of a destination that is grappling with political deadlock and burdens of non-recognition despite its abundance of tourism resources. The case of North Cyprus is an embodiment of a number of destinations that are challenged by political hurdles, and non-recognition, which result in economic hardship, political uncertainty, and social disappointment. This research aimed to investigate the role of social media in popularizing and marketing north Cyprus by placing it on the global digital tourism map. For the purpose of this study, a qualitative research method was employed and data collected through semi-structured interview questions. The interviewees were mainly public sector tourism officials, hoteliers, travel agency managers, and tourism academicians. Data analysis was conducted by applying Atlas.ti 9 (1.0.0.206) software. Also, to increase the confirmability of the study, two existing theories (social influence theory and destination image theory) are used as a guide for the authors to fashion the results as a story. The findings reveal that tourism operators and policymakers have failed to take advantage of social media platforms which have become a form of public goods to mitigate the negative effects of the political impasse that has curtailed the tourism sector. Therefore, this study informs the tourism operators and destination managers who are challenged by political conflicts to realize the value of social media and strategy for a governance model in overcoming some of the challenges in the case of North Cyprus and similar issues. Keywords: Destination image; North Cyprus; political deadlock; social media platforms; tourism.
Exploring Tourism Sub-Sector’s Trust in National Tourism Organization: the Case of North Cyprus/TRNC
The present research aims to explore the tourism sub-sectors’ (hotels, restaurants and travel agents) trust in national tourism organization (NTO) in north Cyprus. This study applied institutional and cultural theories along with social exchange theory to understand and explore the trust and level of trust of NTO from tourism sub-sectors in the context of their collaboration for the purpose of an efficient performance of tourism system. Trust, especially political trust is significant for successful and effective governance of tourism. There is also a significant relationship between sub-sector’s trust and political support for NTO. For the purpose of this research, a qualitative method has been furnished and data collection accomplished through an in-depth interview with respondents from the sub-sectors. Around 20 respondents participated in this research through face-to-face interview and collected data subjected to the qualitative data analysis stages. All the interviewees were qualified for a purposive sampling approach as they were the managers and owners of the mentioned sub-sectors. Study has also revealed the trust is negatively affected by lack of sub-sector’s influence in the decision making process within the tourism domain. This study has also revealed that sub-sector’s trust in tourism institutions is an adequate predictor of strong support for tourism in general. Limitations and implications of the study, as well as, the suggestion for further research is provided.
Modelling Waste Management and Re-Utilization in Accommodation Sector: The Case of North Cyprus
Tourism has been acknowledged as one of the fastest growing industries in the world. However, recently tourism activities have been noted as a double-edged sword, in that it not only creates positive impacts but also causes negative impacts on the physical environment (i.e., land pollution, ecosystem degradation, air and water pollution) if not well managed. Increasing concerns about the negative impacts of tourism have led various researchers to estimate and model the role of the different tourism sectors that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and various aspects of climate change. Northern Cyprus is a popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean region, boast of increasing number of tourists annually. Besides the massive economic benefits of the tourism industry of Northern Cyprus, there are serious environmental concerns on the basis of improper waste management. Hence, the present research focused on the statistical modelling of the waste generation rate of accommodation sectors of Northern Cyprus, management approach and the re-utilization of the generated wastes. The research herein adopted a quantitative method and the data were collected through the questionnaire. Various accommodation types based on size were sampled in Famagusta, Girne and Nicosia districts of Northern Cyprus. Specifically, the thesis examines the type of wastes generated, the quantity of wastes generated considering the nationality of the tourists, waste management practices employed by each sampled accommodation and established the relationship between these independent variables and the waste generation rate. The quantifiable wastes generated per tourism seasons were modelled by three statistical models; central composite design, artificial neural network and multiple linear regressions. The results showed that 4159.9 kg and 2063.4 kg of waste were generated during the peak and lean season from the sampled hospitality facilities, respectively. In the sampled accommodation, 36% of the waste generated originated from the kitchen waste and about one-fourth (27.3%) of the total waste is non-wet waste which consists 7% of glass, 8% of nylon, 5% of wood, 4.2% disposable plastics and 2.8% of PET bottles. 35% of the sampled accommodation sector practices landfill waste disposal, while only 14% recycled the wastes generated in their facilities. Considering the results, this thesis implied that the type of accommodation sector, the waste management practices adopted by the accommodation sector, nationality and the tourism season significantly influenced the waste generation rates. These findings are important for policymakers, environmentalist and development of sustainable green hotels. Recommendations concerning separation and re-utilization of generated wastes are suggested and future research directions are outlined. This study proposes the integration of the cost-benefit system into the waste management program of each accommodation sector to encourage hotels to manage their waste effectively. Also, the conversion of waste cooking oil into green energy (biofuel) is demonstrated and encouraged to incentivise better waste management. Keywords: tourism, environmental pollution, waste generation, reutilization, forecasting