Socio-Cultural Impacts of Educational Tourism on the Residents of Famagusta

Apart from palpable and potent effects of the tourism on the economy and the physical environment, it can be contributed to the socio-cultural vicissitudes in the host communities. Educational tourism as one of the most influential segments of tourism both from the economic and socio-cultural standpoints has an accelerating pace of development in the whole globe. Previous studies mostly have focused on the economic impacts of educational tourism and slightly have gone through the social and cultural impacts of the issue whereas; the present study aimed at scrutinizing the feasible social and cultural efficacies of educational tourism on the indigenous habitants of Famagusta city located in Northern Cyprus. In order to collect the related data, the qualitative research method was applied and unstructured interviews were employed through which the indispensable and paramount testimonies were acquired fastidiously. Data analysis revealed that Educational tourists are the mainstream of economic source as well as the major characterizing factor of the nature of the positive or negative social, cultural and environmental impacts in Famagusta city. The presence of educational tourists completely has changed the quality of life in Famagusta which is perceived positively by the locals. Enhancement of social activities, rejuvenating of traditions, increase of public facilities, increase of general knowledge of the habitants, enhancing the image of the TRNC is some of the positive aspects of the educational tourist impacts and on the opposite side decrease of the social ethics, commercializing of the culture, increase of the crime rate, drug use and sexual harassment are some of the negative aspects of this phenomena in Famagusta indigenous. Keywords: Educational Tourism, Socio-Cultural impacts, Host Community, Famagusta, TRNC