The mediating role of co-creation behavior in the effect of motivation levels on mental well-being tourists participating in Thalassotherapy

Tourism is a vibrant sector that is constantly being renewed. Thalassotherapy operates in the sector as an alternative touristic product in the tourism sector shaped according to the expectations of tourists. Thalassotherapy is a therapeutic recreational activity that has been used since ancient times. Thalassotherapy, which is actively used in our country, is applied by heating the sea water. Individuals around the world use thalassotherapy as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of many physical health problems. Thalassotherapy is a psychologically very relaxing therapy for individuals. Thalassotherapy is observed to increase the well-being of individuals, improve their health and provide beauty as well as physical treatment. Within the scope of this thesis, it is aimed to reveal the mediating role of forming a joint behavior in the effect of motivation levels of tourists who receive therapy services at least once in hotel SPA enterprises in Antalya province on their mental well-being. Quantitative method is used as a research method. In determining the research sample, convenience sampling method was chosen. There are 2 hotel spa enterprises performing thalassotherapy applications throughout Antalya. For the research, survey technique was applied in July and August, which is the highest period of the tourism season. The questionnaires distributed were applied in 3 languages as Russian, English and Turkish. 398 questionnaire forms were reached as a result of data collection. Of the data, 159 are Russian citizens, 84 are British citizens, 64 are German citizens, 47 are Turkish citizens and 44 are French citizens. Research findings; It was concluded that the research participants came to thalassotherapy applications with the motivation to relax, approached the result of the perception of co-creating behavior with the intention of Sharing Information / Responsible Behavior, and that the behavior of creating behavior together had a mediating role in the effect of the motivation levels of tourists on their mental well-being. Keywords: Thalassotherapy, Co-Creation, Motivation, Mental Well-being