The Turkey's imagein the minds of tourists who visit Turkey

Image, is the conception about an individual, object, institution or country, achievedsubsequent to a course of acquaintance. Image, which takes form with information andmessages derived by the assessment of information and data erupted from the culturalclimate the individual dwells, to his possessed prejudgements, is a high pressure conceptthat might alter with new information and experience, through cycle.Images directed to individuals, objects, institutions or countries; have a decisiveinfluence on individual?s behavior and demeanors. The image of a country is formed bypersonal experience as well as the up-to-date information about that domain?s public, alongwith its? social, political and economic circumstances; while by other characteristics suchas territory, continent or religion it represents, when there is a lack of informationTurkey has an image full of contradictions due to following reasons; Negative andpositive impacts of the geographical location and history of Turkey, Turkey is the solemuslim country on the world and is the tourism paradise that attracts may tourists from allover the world.To eliminate the contradictions of the Turkey image, we should find out thepotentials that will show the positive sides of Turkey and Turkish People, consider thenegative sides and the impression that foreigners have for Turkey.In this study, the aim was to discover the Turkey?s image in the minds of touristswho visit Turkey and the parameters that effect the country?s image. Additionally,impressions about Turkey, impessions about the individuals, cities and brands of Turkey,public communication and the public events of Turkey has been questioned. The TurkeyTourism Advertisment Campaigns that the tourists have received and whether thiscampaign was effective on their decision to visit Turkey and their likes/dislikes about thespecifics of Tukey has been asked to tourists as well.iiiThe survey results have revealed that Turkey had been positioned in foreign touristsmind with its fabulous sea, beaches, hospitality, good food, Islam, deep culture and history,fake brands, disrespectful sellers and low quality hotels. The public communication devicesthat primarily effects the perception of foreign tourists about Turkey are TV andnewspapers and the events that they are effected are the process of Turkey being a EUmember and USA-Iraq war. It also has been cleared out that these tourists have been mainlyexposed to TV and internet commercials about Turkey Tourism Advertising Campaigns. Inthe survey they also have been asked whether they have been positively effected by TurkeyTourism Advertising Campaigns and the quantities of the `yes`, `no` and `undecided`responses are almost even. On the other hand, the tourists general perceptions about Turkeyare as follows from positive to negative ; hospitality, positive image, safe, laic, cheap,modern, technological and respectful to human rights.Turkey?s impression in foreigner?s mind has not been a hot issue so far. Studies onthis issue will help Tukey to bring up stratigies that will help Turkey to be a country thathas better impressions and a positive image all over the world.