A study on slow city perception and innovative investments in slow cities

The tourism industry, which is experiencing intense competition with globalization, is inspiring investors to search for innovation. Both destinations and tourist facilities must be innovative in order to be able to keep up with the current age. The concept of innovation is an important strategic tool that provides competitive advantage for tourism establishments. Innovative investments in tourit facilities and destinations exemplify changes and trends in the world. When we look at the tourism industry, it is seen that this industry has new ideas and product types based on innovation. One of these is the slow city tourism that has become increasingly popular in recent times. In this sense, this thesis aims to examine the innovative investments for the slow tourism which is an alternative tourism type and the facilities established here. In addition to this, it is planned to introduce the places where slow tourism will be done in our country and the tourist facilities there. Qualitative research methods were used because of the need for in-depth analysis of investments in Slow City and its facilities. Data was obtained by face-to-face interview technique. Slow Cities in Turkey have constituted the target population of study. In this conext, 14 destinations in Turkey have been registered as Slow City. In these destinations had been interviewed with local administrators, civil society managers and touristic facility managers. The data obtained had been analyzed by descriptive analysis technique. It was seen that innovative investments have been made by taking into consideration the aims of providing a better quality of life by using technology, making the developments sustainable by using region's value, empowering the regional economy and making usefull for everyone in the region, protecting the natural environment and historical values in Slow Cities. KEYWORDS: Tourism Investment, Innovation, Cittaslow.