Perceptions and opinions of local partners on the development of marine tourism: example of Hatay province

Tourism, which is one of the sectors and regional development tools that has increased its importance from the past to the present, has been diversified over time and its current potential has been increased day by day. Although alternative tourism types have been added and expanded to the ''sea, sand, sun'' trio that first comes to mind when ''tourism'' is mentioned, when alternative tourism types are examined, it is striking that one of them is still sea tourism. The influence of sea tourism, which is present both in the main framework of tourism and among the diversified tourism types, on the current situation and development of tourism is quite obvious. It is thought that the first step that can be taken to ensure tourism development in a destination is to determine the perceptions and opinions of local stakeholders. For this reason, this study was carried out with the aim of determining the perceptions and views of local steakholders on the economic, socio-cultural and environmental effects of marine tourism in relation to the development of marine tourism throughout the province of Hatay. In this context, a survey method was applied to the local people over the age of 18 who have been residing in all districts of Hatay for a minimum of 5 years, and interviews were conducted with the authorities of municipalities and non-govermental organizations (NGOs) in districts near the sea. In line with the results of the data, it was determined that local people, district municipalities and NGOs perceived socio-cultural effects positively, perceived economic effects very positively, and remained indecisive on environmental effects, in parallel with each other. It has been concluded that the local stakeholders of Hatay province are ready and open to sea tourism, and there are no obstacles to evaluate the sea tourism potential in Hatay by eliminating or minimizing environmental hesitations. In the future studies, it could be suggested to discuss and find solutions about, only the ''environmental impacts'' scale which became a corner of the local partners of the Hatay province in terms of marine tourism.