The effect of image on destination selection: The case of Antalya

Both countries and touristic regions entered into an increasing competition in order to get a greater portion from the tourism market due to the fact that the economic and socio cultural effects of tourism is recognized and the number of people participating in tourism movements is increasing day by day and according to World Tourism Organization predictions this number shall reach 1,6 billion person by 2020. Nowadays destinations should be evaluated as a tourism product and a strategically point of view. When determining their place of vacation individuals are affected by many factors and they make their decisions in the light of these factors. In studies concerning the destination image, it has been stated that the destination image is an effective factor on the selection of the vacation place and the destination image may differ from person to person and even for the same person from time to time due to the specifications of the destination.The main objectives of this study are to determine the factors effecting to destination image of the tourists travelling for holiday purposes and the relation between destination image and the revisit intentions. Moreover it has been examined if the personal characteristics, travel attitudes and characteristics of destination are effecting the relation between the destination image and revisit intention. To achieve to the objectives of the study a detailed literature review has been performed and a questionnaire was conducted to the Russian, German and English tourists in Antalya in 2007 and 1332 questionnaire were analyzed. Data obtained were analyzed through mean, frequency, t-test for independent variables, one way Anova, Tukey (HSD) test and correlation analysis.According to the results of the study it has been determined that there is a significant relation between tourists revisit intention and their destination image and the fact that this relation may differ on personal characteristics, travel attitudes of the tourists and the characteristics of the destination.Keywords: Destination, Destination Image, Tourist Behaviour, Tourism.