Perceptions of tourism stakeholders to develop a crisis management strategy and emergency action plan in the COVID-19 output: The case of Diyarbakır

Tourism, which has gained great momentum in recent years, has become a global sector and has made countries and their economies increasingly dependent on each other. The strengthening of globalization over time has expanded the scope of the concept of crisis and turned it into a global phenomenon. Therefore, since the investments made in tourism, which has become a global sector, have high both material and moral value, it is important for the stakeholders who have a say in tourism activities to take action plans and precaution set practices against potential crises in order to keep their economic stability at a sustainable level. The aim of this study is to reveal the stakeholder perceptions of public and private sector representatives responsible for tourism in Diyarbakır, whether there is an effective management strategy and emergency action plan against the crisis, based on the example of the Covid-19 crisis. For this reason, qualitative research technique was used in line with the stated purpose of the study. Research data were collected by face-to-face interview technique with tourism stakeholders in Diyarbakır. As a result of the research, it is stated that the level of preparation for the crisis regarding the general situation of Diyarbakır tourism is not sufficient, there is no strategy and action plan, there are deficiencies in advertising and promotion activities, the level of relations of the stakeholders responsible for tourism is insufficient, and therefore Diyarbakır province is faced with serious negative consequences from the Covid-19 crisis. It has been concluded that it has caused an effective governance to fail in Diyarbakir.