Rising Trend Rural Tourism After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Case of Zile

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has a profound impact on the tourism industry globally, brought about major changes in tourist preferences. A transition has been made to a period when mass tourism is less preferred and individual tourism activities are more prominent in preferences. In this study, rural tourism, which is one of the most suitable species for individual tourism, has been examined the aim of this research is to examine the rise of rural tourism, which is one of the alternative tourism types, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the basis of Tokat-Zile example. In the study, the semi-structured interview form was applied to 21 people from different professions living and working in Zile district in June-July 2020, by using the focus group method and videoconference as it is a pandemic period. The data obtained are presented in tables and graphics. Also, in the light of the findings of the study, SWOT analysis was conducted by the researchers. Accordingly, after the COVID-19 pandemic, Zile was quite suitable for tourism activities in the countryside, bu