Perceptions and satisfaction of local people towards tourism development in new Hasankeyf

This study examined the relationship between local people's perception of tourism development and the benefits they receive from tourism, support for tourism activities and quality of life. The data of the research was collected through a survey from local people residing in Hasankeyf, which is one of the historical and cultural tourism districts of Turkey. The data were evaluated through structural equation modeling with the AMOS program. According to the study results, local people's perceptions of tourism development are clustered under five factors. These factors; (i) positive economic environmental perceptions, (ii) negative economic environmental perceptions, (iii) positive socio-cultural environmental perceptions, (iv) negative socio-cultural environmental perceptions and (v) positive natural environment perceptions. According to the research results, there was a relationship between local people's perceptions of tourism development, the benefits they receive from tourism and their quality of life. Similarly, a relationship was found between the local people's perceptions of tourism development and their support for tourism activities. In general, this study contributes to the sustainable development literature by evaluating the perception of tourism development from the perspective of local people, the benefits obtained from tourism, the support provided to tourism and the quality of life.