Slow tourism and slow tourist: A comparative research in cittaslow Seferi̇hi̇sar

Slow tourism has recently been one of the most popular tourism types. Cities having the philosophy of slowness are called Cittaslow. A city should carry out various criterion determined by International Cittaslow Association in order to be a Cittaslow. Aim of this thesis is to study on slow tourists coming to Cittaslows in the context of slow tourism. It is important to determine the profiles of slow tourists, their interests, perception and expectation. A four-language translated survey gets conducted face to face in Cittaslow Seferihisar in order to determine slow tourists profiles. Questionnaire form is consisted of 76 questions and applied 12 days face to face. As a result, there occurs two types of tourists: Slow Tourists and the Other Tourists and some suggestions have been specified both for tourism managements and public institutions. Tourism managements have to adopt new policies and strategies for servicing local/organic foods, eco- friendly products and services and also especially hospitable welcome. It's suggested them to start initiatives for using eco-friendly transportation types. It's very important for municipalities to maintain new policies based on Cittaslow criterion. They should specifically focus on sustainable architecture, eco-friendly constructions, air and water clean policies, distilling urban wastes, waste water treatment systems.