A mixed method research on the suitability of recreational scuba diving in diversification of tourism in Eskisehir

The general purpose of the research is to examine the effect of equipped diving on the diversity of tourism in Eskisehir within the scope of underwater diving tourism as a recreational activity. For this purpose, Sakaryabasi diving area was determined as a research area. Mixed research model was used. Nine dive instructors who had dived in Sakaryabasi diving area were interviewed with the structured interview technique. Content analysis method was used in the processing of the data, and the obtained data were analyzed using the Atlas.ti program. 11 main themes were determined: historical background, diving types, positive and negative features of the diving area, accommodation, food-beverage and transportation opportunities, activities to support diving, organization opportunities, diving activities as a tourist attraction and diving legislation. As the second data collection method, a questionnaire technique was applied to 243 divers who had dived at least once in the research area with purposive sampling method. SPSS 26 program was used in the analysis of the data. In this direction, descriptive frequency analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Chi-square, ANOVA and T-test, correlation between variables and regression analysis were performed. With the exploratory factor analysis, seven factors were reached as attractiveness, promotion, accommodation, facilities, area and equipment, diversity of flora and fauna, touristic product and economic suitability. A significant difference was found in the evaluations of men and women's diving as a tourist product. A significant difference was determined in the evaluations of diving areas and equipment of single and married people. Educational status of divers showed significant difference in the evaluations of diversity of flora and fauna, touristic product, economic suitability and income levels, accommodation, touristic product, economic suitability. The attractiveness variable showed a significant relationship with other variables. It was determined that the participants accepted recreational diving as a touristic product and showed their intention to visit Eskisehir again for underwater diving tourism. In order for diving in Sakaryabasi region to contribute positively to Eskisehir tourism diversification, it has been suggested that promotion and marketing activities should be carried out efficiently. Keywords: Recreational scuba diving, Underwater diving tourism, Touristic product diversification, Eskisehir.