Competitiveness analysis of Antalya tourism destinations

New destinations in tourism sector which is growing day by day are getting into the market and competition among destinations is increasing. Countries are increasing their efforts to enhance tourism because of the magnitude of economic effects it creates and the conditions of competition are constantly changing in this sector. Countries willing to get more profit in this increasing competition environment focus on destination competition. Success of the destinations depends on many factors; however destinations which take social, cultural, political, technological and environmental strengths into consideration while determining their competition strategies are becoming more competitive and successful. The purpose of this study is to set forth the conditions of destinations to acquire more competitive and strategic positions. It is aimed at protecting competition advantage of Antalya which is one of the most important tourism destinations in Turkey and ensuring sustainability in this destination. Main research subject of the study is setting a model for destination competitiveness and sustainable destination competitiveness. Furthermore, it is thought that the results to be acquired will be a guide for similar tourism destination. In this study, it was tried to set a convenient model for the competitiveness of Antalya destination through examining models regarding destination competitiveness. Destination competitiveness model which was prepared by Crouch and Ritchie (1999) and which is one of the most significant studies within the literature was used. Data collection tool was developed based on the literature in order to examine the elements in the model and inter-element relationships. Field study was conducted with the participation of 1195 tourists visiting Antalya destination. It was found that all relationships were significant in the model tested in order for Antalya destination to acquire a more competitive strategic position and all hypotheses proposed in the study were confirmed. It was proposed in the study that supportive factors and sources affected basic sources and attractiveness, basic sources and attractiveness affected destination management, destination management affected destination policy and planning, destination policy and planning affected adequacy and progress criteria and adequacy and progress criteria affected destination competitiveness within the model tested conceptually in the study. Consequently, the model proposed in the study possesses a goodness of fit in acceptable level. Key Words: Destination, Destination competitiveness, Destination Competitiveness Model, Antalya