Local Public Attitudes for the Development of Sustainable Tourism in Safranbolu

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to reveal the attitudes of local people living in Safranbolu towards sustainable tourism development. Another aim is to determine the relationships between the dimensions of sustainable tourism development. Quantitative research method was used in the research. In order to obtain the data, the survey technique was used and 390 questionnaires were collected. Frequency, percentage analysis, factor, comparative analysis, correlation and descriptive statistical techniques were used for data analysis. Factor analysis revealed six dimensions. These; environmental sustainability, sustainable planning, visitor satisfaction, economic benefit, benefit to local people and social costs. Of these dimensions, only the perception of social cost was low. In the comparative analyzes conducted between the dimensions, it was concluded that the dimensions other than environmental sustainability and sustainable planning differed according to their income from tourism. According to the regression analysis between the dimensions; dimensions other than social cost have a significant and positive relationship among themselves.