The analysis of international competitiveness of medical tourism sector in duzce province

The main objective of this study is to reveal the level of international competitiveness of the medical tourism sector in Duzce. The population of the study consists of institutions/organizations and local administrations serving in the field of tourism, health tourism, medical tourism and health in Duzce province. In this study, the purpose-based sample type, which is one of the non-random sample types, was found suitable for this study and tracer technique was used to form the research sample. The research data were obtained by using semi-structured interview and participatory observation techniques which are qualitative research methods. The interviews were conducted between 25 April-10 May 2019 with 30 participants in 15 institutions in Duzce. The data collected were analyzed by content analysis in Maxqda 12 and the results of the findings and results were added by adding the observation data. Porter's Diamond Model was used in the analysis part of the research and the level of international competitiveness of the medical tourism sector of Duzce province was determined as low-medium. In this context, the main variables of the model; The state factor is medium level, input conditions are medium level, firm strategy and competition level is low, demand conditions are low, related supporting organizations are low level. As a result, it was revealed that the natural resources in Duzce province are sufficient for the medical tourism sector, but they are not used efficiently, many natural resources are idle and the necessary infrastructure and investments for the medical tourism sector in Duzce are insufficient. Duzce is not yet ready to enter the medical tourism sector. In this context, a master plan of at least 5 years should be prepared and cluster based sectoral development studies should be initiated in order to make the city (region) preferable to investors.