Maria D. Alvarez

Boğaziçi University · Department of Tourism Administration

Purpose This study aims to investigate how feelings for a country influence visitation to conflict-ridden destinations. It also examines the moderating effect of communications – news about terror or pictures of the place’s attractions – and whether the pictures counteract the damaging news. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the infl...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a model of relationships for conflict-ridden destinations that include variables concerning the dispute and their effect on key constructs that shape visitation decisions. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical model is examined for two conflict-ridden Eastern Mediterranean destinations, Israel...

Gastronomic identity is an important resource for destinations, and it may play a significant role in creating the place’s brand identity. Following the Social Identity Theory as applied to destination branding, the research considers the perspective of different stakeholders for whom the role of gastronomy in shaping the destination’s brand may be...

Purpose The study aims to investigate the concept of animosity that is based on traditional enmity and that which originates from other grounds. The study examines whether animosity that is based on these different causes has differing effects on perceptions and purchase decisions of the tourist destination product. Design/methodology/approach The...

Since the Covid-19 virus appeared the resulting pandemic has been associated with China and the Chinese in the media. This research, using the Integrated Threat Theory’s perspective, aims to understand the effect that this association may have on host-guest relations. The study, based on 537 questionnaires collected online, investigates whether the...

Considering the tourists' viewpoint when creating a sustainable destination is crucial since marketing may be the driving force behind many sustainability initiatives. However, most of the literature has followed a supply-based perspective, ignoring the way that tourists view sustainability attributes. Therefore, this research attempts to address t...

Wars, conflicts and other incidents between countries may give rise to feelings of animosity towards a given country that affect consumption choices. These negative feelings may also have roots on more general concerns regarding ideological differences, government policies or human rights violations, and they may be supported by the broadcast of ne...

For developing nations affected by negative stereotypes, the question of whether a change in perceptions can be achieved through the tourism experience is important. This research aims to determine whether the perceptions of foreign tourists regarding a country and its people change as a result of the cultural tourism experience. The study examines...

Purpose This study aims to explore the topic of perceived terrorism risk and animosity as interrelated within the context of countries suffering from armed struggles and terror. The research investigates how these constructs influence the visitation decisions of millennials. Design/methodology/approach The investigation focuses on three countries...

Tasting local flavours is often an important motivation for tourists visiting a particular destination. A destination’s richness in terms of cuisine increases its attractiveness and may be an important element of its branding identity. Gaziantep is one of the cities that is known for its gastronomy and unique foods. The purpose of this research is...

The study aims to test a scale of consumer animosity that includes more general causes than those currently covered in the literature and examines the effects of animosity on country destination evaluations and on the intention to visit the place. The research examines the animosity construct, delving into its causes. The results confirm that consu...

Travel blogs have become an influential source of travelling information. Bloggers share their travel experiences and are generally considered as a trusted source of knowledge. They influence readers’ opinions and perceptions of places, affecting travel decisions. Despite the importance of bloggers as influencers, there is limited research on the f...

Yoga has become an increasingly widespread activity, also becoming popular as a form of tourism. Many Westerners travel to the roots of yoga, to destinations in India, where yoga originated, or join yoga retreats in other countries. This is also the case in Turkey where yoga has become a well-known activity. Despite the growing popularity of yoga t...

The study explores the concept of consumer animosity within the context of destinations as tourism products. The research attempts to expand on the prevalent conceptualization of animosity as being derived from bilateral conflicts or events. Therefore, a scale of consumer animosity that incorporates varied dimensions is created and tested. In addit...

Heritage and tourism mutually reinforce each other, with the presentation of heritage at physical sites mirrored by the ways heritage is presented on the internet. This interdisciplinary book uses humanities and social sciences to analyse the ways that heritage is branded and commodified, how stakeholders organise place brands, and how digital stra...

Heritage and tourism mutually reinforce each other, with the presentation of heritage at physical sites mirrored by the ways heritage is presented on the internet. This interdisciplinary book uses humanities and social sciences to analyse the ways that heritage is branded and commodified, how stakeholders organise place brands, and how digital stra...

Heritage and tourism mutually reinforce each other, with the presentation of heritage at physical sites mirrored by the ways heritage is presented on the internet. This interdisciplinary book uses humanities and social sciences to analyse the ways that heritage is branded and commodified, how stakeholders organise place brands, and how digital stra...

Heritage and tourism mutually reinforce each other, with the presentation of heritage at physical sites mirrored by the ways heritage is presented on the internet. This interdisciplinary book uses humanities and social sciences to analyse the ways that heritage is branded and commodified, how stakeholders organise place brands, and how digital stra...

Studies have established in different contexts the effect of consumer animosity on buying intentions of the products originating from the country towards which this hostility is directed. Despite the increasing number of investigations dealing with this topic within the international marketing literature, there is a lack of research concerning the...

The concept of tourist destination image has been frequently studied, with numerous articles appearing in the literature. In most of these studies, destination image is a defining variable for a tourist's intention to visit a given destination. However, once the concept of hostility or animosity towards a country was introduced into marketing, the...

Although guidelines for sustainable tourism exist, there is a lack of research discussing the sustainability of destinations as perceived by tourists. This study aims to explore sustainability from a demand based perspective and determine which attributes of a destination are most mentioned by tourists in their reviews. Based on sustainability attr...

This book on heritage tourism utilizes a three-part structure. Part I (chapters 1-3) deals with the conservation and revitalization of heritage destinations, as well as the role local communities have in supporting an attraction. Part II (chapters 4-6) discusses the development of heritage tourism destinations as tourism products, and the communica...

Istanbul, as a city of more than 13 million also hosting over 10 million tourists a year, has the challenge of managing its resources to provide tourism services within a sustainable perspective. Since the sustainability of a destination requires the long-term consciousness and appropriate behaviour of all interested parties, the opinions of key st...

This study aims to identify the barriers to stakeholder involvement during the planning process of sustainable tourism development of the Thrace region in Turkey. The dimensions analyzed to assess these barriers included stakeholder awareness of critical issues and the current state of tourism, their knowledge of sustainable tourism principles, and...

This chapter proposes a methodology to determine tourism policies that are effective in addressing the challenges of tourism as an instrument for development. A three-step process is proposed, including the preparation of a Green Paper that defines the different actors in the tourism system, as well as their functions vis-à-vis policy options; a Wh...

In parallel to the rising popularity of the sustainability paradigm, the idea that tourism may contribute to development and poverty alleviation has also received increased acceptance. The literature questions whether sustainability could act as a barrier to development or whether conservation and development are two different goals that should be...

Regional development agencies (RDAs) have recently been established in Turkey as a policy vehicle to support local governments and coordinate stakeholders’ activities. In compliance with the European Union policy guidelines, regional-level planning and policymaking are introduced for the first time in Turkey. Within the new system, tourism is desig...

The book examines the theoretical bases of contemporary real-case development projects and illustrates the way tourism can effectively and efficiently focus on development issues, while minimizing undesired impacts on the natural and cultural environments.

This paper analyzes the image of Israel, a country subject to continuous conflicts, and the effect of a political event on its image. A measurement model is examined before and after a specific international incident, the Mavi Marmara conflict between Turkey and Israel, in order to understand how this event influences the image that the Turks have...

According to recent research, countries may have a positive image from a tourism perspective, but they may be seen as lacking from an economic or political viewpoint. As governments and destination management organisations spend large sums of money in promoting tourist attractions, the question of whether these activities also influence other aspec...

Tourism and hospitality are currently fa- cing many challenges as globalization increa- ses the level of competition that organizations operating in this sector are facing. In parallel to this trend, destination management organi- zations and tourism companies alike have come to realize that it is no longer possible to operate within the same param...

As destinations are striving to become more competitive and attract visitors and tourists, the performance of its enterprises, including hotels is essential. Despite the significance of research in this area, to date, there are no studies that analyze the accommodation industry of a given destination from a broad perspective, since most of the inves...

The study aims to determine the effect of controllable and uncontrollable sources of information on the country and destination image as two separate constructs. The research is carried out in the context of Turkey as a developing country through the use of a pre- and post-experimental design with a control group. The study establishes the greater...

The study aims to determine whether the knowledge and awareness related to the culture, history, and ancient civilizations of a destination might be instrumental in creating a more positive image for the place. The research is carried out in the context of Turkey, a country that has been affected in the past by its image as a cheap mass-tourism des...

In contrast to the country of origin studies in international marketing, the tourism literature fails to differentiate between the image of the country and that of the destination as a tourism product. The distinction is important for developing countries suffering from negative country perceptions, as opposed to more positive views regarding the t...

Purpose The purpose of this editorial is to introduce the special issue on creative cities and cultural spaces, as offering new perspectives for tourism. Design/methodology/approach The paper identifies some key concerns that cities currently face and introduces the articles in the special issue, remarking on the novel ideas and concepts provided...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the process by which Istanbul is transforming into a world city, examining the impact of the recent growth of cultural activities in the city. Design/methodology/approach The study focuses on the cultural and creative aspects of Istanbul, with reference to its history, multiculturalism and recent dev...

Despite the wealth of resources that Turkey possesses, it is generally believed that this tourism destination has not reached its potential. Turkey is restricted by its international image, its centralization and the limited resources that are available for marketing and communication activities. Furthermore, in the past, Turkey has focused on 3S (...

Istanbul has been declared the European Capital of Culture in 2010, due to its past as the cradle of many civilizations and host to various cultures. Today, Istanbul still includes a variety of cultures, ethnic backgrounds, religions and socio-cultural levels. People with different origins, languages, beliefs and traditions are living together in t...

For developing nations affected by negative stereotypes, the question of whether a change in perceptions can be achieved through the tourism experience is important. This research aims to determine whether the perceptions of foreign tourists regarding a country and its people change as a result of the cultural tourism experience. The study examines...

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to help to understand the influence of the media and political issues in the perceptions of Turkey as a tourism destination. The study is conducted from the perspective of Spanish people. Design/methodology/approach The research is based on the responses provided to a web survey. The data were analyzed using de...

This study explores a segmentation design to differentiate tourists according to their perceptions of online and offline information sources in the Turkish context. Further, it aims to describe the segments identified in terms of their personal traits and the characteristics of their chosen vacations. Using cluster analysis, two groups are identifi...

Previous research has identified tourist satisfaction as an important concept in establishing the performance of destinations. Given the increasing level of competitiveness, it is essential for destination management authorities to understand the main factors causing satisfaction/dissatisfaction for visitors. The present research is based on data c...