Social Interactions of Foreign Residents as Tourist Representatives with Local People in Tourism Destinations and The Impact of Length of Stay in Social Interaction

Abstract

In this study, it has been investigated whether the social relations between the resident foreigners who are settled in the same origin as the tourists who are originally from the UK and the local people of Marmaris are positive or to what extent they are positive. It was sought to answer the question of whether there is an effect of the length of stay in the destination on the social interaction of the resident foreigners with the local community. In the study, quantitative research method was adopted and data were collected from 382 resident foreigners. According to the findings of the study, the foreign-local people relationship established in Marmaris is realized in a positive, high quality, sincere manner, the resident foreigners attach great importance to their interactions with the local people and they are highly satisfied with their contacts. It was found that the increase in the duration of the stay in the destination has no effect on social interaction. These findings support the argument that tourist-local population conflicts and discrepancies stem from cultural differences regardless of length of stay.