The effect of perceived authenticity and destination imagery on behavioral intentions of tourists: The case of Eskişehir

The main purpose of the research is to determine the effect of perceived authenticity and destination image on the behavioral intentions of tourists. Quantitative research method was used in the research and data were collected by questionnaire technique. Tourists visiting Eskişehir were chosen as the population. Within the scope of the application, the data obtained from 397 visitors were included in the evaluation by using the convenience sampling method from the population. Percentage, frequency, arithmetic mean and standard deviation values, Correlation analysis, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) were used in the analysis of the data, and non-parametric tests (Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis H) were used to determine the differences between the variables. In line with the findings obtained by analyzing the data collected in the research, it has been determined that perceived authenticity has a positive and significant effect on destination image and destination image has also the same effect on behavioral intention. In addition, it has been determined that perceived authenticity has a positive and meaningless effect on behavioral intention. Additionally, it has been determined that participant opinions show significant differences according to some demographic variables such as gender, age, marital and educational status. In conclusion, the findings obtained within the scope of the research were evaluated and interpreted, and suggestions were made for the stakeholders in the tourism sector and the literature.