Strategic destination management for the improvement of tourism destination competitiveness: An application on Çeşme Alaçatı destination

The purpose of this study is to discuss the necessity of destination management strategically and to constitute a model to apply national destination competitiveness scale to local scale which determines destination competitiveness factors -Dwyer and Kim model- according to strategic destination management. In the first chapter of the study the term of strategy and strategic management process were examined with literature review. In the second chapter destination management was discussed by reviewing of literature as strategic destination management. In addition, in this chapter the studies which determine destination competitiveness factors were included. In the third chapter the facts were included which indicate competitiveness after having results of face to face surveys with 110 hospitality managers or workers, 45 food and beverage managers or workers, 8 surfing school managers or workers, 168 tourism facilities and 11 municipal directors or workers, 28 public institution directors or workers, 10 academics and 245 students; totally 457 person. Besides in the third chapter competitiveness of Alaçatı destinations supply-side partners was tested by model predicative factor analyze to determine strategic destination management to come up to the aim of the study. Although in the model which takes part in the literature was assured that the factor affecting other independent variables was discussed with the situational and demanding conditions as a sixth factor with the natural and cultural sources, artificial sources, and supportive sources impacting on strategic destination management. In conclusion outcomes and proposals achieved by findings in the study were stated. In this chapter findings were ensured that competitiveness of Alaçatı destination is remarkable and must be only managed strategically. Keywords: Strategic Management, Factors effecting competitiveness, Strategic Destination Management, Competitive Models.