Golf tourism in the world and Turkey: A case of Antalya destination

According to the World Tourism Organization, the tourism sector has reached a size of approximately 1.3 trillion dollars as of 2016. The share of sports tourism in the tourism sector is calculated as 200 billion dollars. Golf tourism is one of the most important sub-branches of sports tourism, which has a volume of this magnitude and is one of the fastest growing branches of the global travel and tourism industry. Golf tourism as a tourism product; It plays an important role in diversifying tourism destinations, reducing the seasonal impact of tourism and increasing the number of expenditure per tourist. Golf tourism imported by hot climate destinations in the world, Golf tourism has become one of the rapidly developing tourism types in Turkey, especially in the Belek region. The main purpose of the thesis, which named Golf Tourism in the World and Turkey: A Case of Antalya Destination, is to determine the factors that have effects on golf tourists' choice of destination and to examine the golf tourism potential of Antalya. The study includes three parts. In the first part, sport tourism and its components were reviewed. In the second part, the related literature about golf tourism, golf tourism in the world and in Turkey was examined. In the third part, there is purpose and importance of study and methodology of study and analysis of the data obtained from the survey conducted with golf tourists who visit Antalya. The findings showed that Spain is most preferred destination by golf tourists in golf tourism. The findings also showed that the most important factors affecting tourists' choice of destinations are the quality of the golf course and the appropriate weather conditions. Tourists mostly prefer to play golf in spring. The reasons why tourists prefer Antalya are golf resort quality, suitable climatic conditions and economic prices. The results of this study may provide a better understanding of the golf tourism market in Belek. In this way information on the expectations, demands and difficulties of the sector can be achieved by contributing to the development of the sector. By examining the possible competitors of the region, the missing or strong sides can be removed.