The Choice of Travel Agencies Factors in North Cyprus: Evidence from Universities students

ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates the importance of travel agency selection factors for domestic and international students from different countries such as Turkey, Iran who use travel agencies of a small island - Cyprus. A total 251 students studying at various programs of the Faculty during the fall 2011-12 academic term were participated in survey. Descriptive analysis through computing mean scores was used to investigate and compare travel agency selection factors by nationality. “24 hours availability of services or High/Low service charges” is the most important attribute for students from Turkey (mean score = 3.98) whilst “Holiday packages offered e.g. all inclusive etc…’’ is the most important one for Turkish Cypriots (mean score = 4.20) however “Speed and quality of service” (mean score = 4.14) for Iranian students and surprisingly for other overseas students, “Giving individual attention to customers” is the most important attribute (mean score = 4.42). Results reveal that the travel agency selection process differs in nationality classification in the case of international students in North Cyprus implying that young generation customers from different cultures generally focus on different types of factors in considering traveling services. Keywords: Travel agencies, selection criteria, students, North Cyprus economy. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………