A research on determining the perceptions of local people living in the destination about tourism: The case of Sı̇nop

This study aimed to determine the perceptions of local people living in Sinop destination regarding tourism activities in their destination. In this context, through the survey prepared, it was tried to reach the local people living in Sinop destination face to face and online and to determine their perceptions about tourism. Survey technique was used during the data collection process of the research. In this study, a survey consisting of two parts and 31 questions was used. Sinop destination, which is located at the northernmost tip of Turkey and consists of Ayancık, Boyabat, Dikmen, Durağan, Erfelek, Gerze, Merkez, Saraydüzü and Türkeli districts, was chosen as the research area. Sinop, with its preserved and untouched history, culture, sea, nature and local gastronomy; it is one of the important alternative tourism destinations in terms of tourism. The population of the research consists of the local people living in the Sinop destination and who can be reached during the data collection process of the research. According to TÜİK data, it has been determined that a total of 229,716 people live in Sinop destination as of 2023. The research sample consists of local people living in the Sinop destination who could be reached during the data collection process (March 10, 2024-May 2, 2024). The survey prepared to ensure an acceptable sample size (384 participants) to represent the universe was delivered to local people living in the Sinop destination. In this study, simple random sampling method, one of the probability-based sampling methods, was used to determine the individuals to be included in the sample. At the end of the data collection process of the research, a total of 405 people were reached and the feedback of all participants was included in the research analysis. As a result of research analysis (SPSS 24.0); the majority of the local people participating in the research are male, aged 25-60, have undergraduate education, are self-employed and have a monthly income of 25,001 TL-50,000 TL; it was determined that they evaluated tourism as beneficial for their destinations and their perspectives towards tourists coming to their destinations were positive. Dimensions related to factor analysis in the research; Perceived Positive Effects of Tourism, Negative Effects of Tourism on the Natural Environment and Economy, Support for the Development of Tourism, Satisfaction with the Development of Tourism, Personal Benefit from Tourism and Negative Socio-Cultural Effects of Tourism is named.