Determination of destination criteria affecting the profile and preferences of solo tourists

The history of tourists travelling alone goes back many years. People have travelled for many reasons such as exploring, learning, leading geographical discoveries. Today, the concept of solo travelling is based on reasons such as realising tourists' own selves, visiting new places, intercultural communication. There are some factors that affect the purchasing activity of every potential consumer. These factors may vary from person to person. Therefore, destination preferences of tourists travelling alone may differ. Each destination has its own characteristics. At the same time, the activities of destination managers also affect destination attractions. In the study, it is aimed to determine and examine the profiles of solo travelling tourists and to determine the destination criteria affecting the preferences of tourists. In line with these objectives, a questionnaire was applied to tourists travelling alone to Marmaris between June-September 2023 in Marmaris district of Muğla province. In the study where quantitative research method was adopted, data were obtained by face-to-face interviews with 372 tourists travelling alone. It is aimed to determine the profile of lonely tourists visiting Marmaris destination, to be learnt by destination managers and to lead the development of the destination and new decisions to be taken. In line with the findings obtained, data on the destination preferences of solo tourists were analysed and suggestions were developed.