A phenomenological research on the well-being of tour operator representatives working in Antalya region

The aim of this study is to examine in depth how tour operator representatives experience psychological well-being in their professional lives and how they attribute meaning to the elements that shape this experience. By utilizing an existing theoretical framework, it aims to identify the factors that influence these experiences and to propose meaningful mechanisms that can support psychological well-being based on these experiences. According to a systematic literature review conducted within the context of psychological well-being among employees in the tourism and travel sector, it has been concluded that tour operator representatives, as tourism employees, have been overlooked. While numerous studies focusing particularly on the psychological well-being of tourist guides were found in the relevant literature, no research has been identified concerning tour operator representatives. In this study, which focuses on the aforementioned group, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 Serbian tour operator representatives working in Antalya during the summer season, based on Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Model. In addition, the dataset includes focus group interviews and the researcher's reflective observation notes.