Yerel Halkın Mağara Turizmine İlişkin Sürdürülebilir Turizm Gelişimine Yönelik Tutumlarının İncelenmesi
Investigation of Local People's Attitudes Towards Sustainable Tourism Development Regarding Cave Tourism

Summary/Abstract: Caves formed naturally through geological processes or artificially by human intervention-particularly by excavating easily workable materials-play a significant role in shaping tourism demand as major tourist attractions. In recent years, the shift in tourism demand from mass tourism to alternative forms has increased interest in cave tourism, which constitutes an important segment of the global tourism market. Given its critical role in achieving long-term success in tourism, identifying and securing local community support for tourism development is a key factor. However, empirical studies that investigate residents’ attitudes toward sustainable tourism development specifically within the context of cave tourism remain scarce in the literature. In this context, the present study aims to fill this gap by analyzing the attitudes of residents toward sustainable tourism development in relation to cave tourism. A quantitative research design was adopted, and the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS) was utilized. The application of the SUS-TAS scale specifically to the case of Çankırı contributes to the scale’s national-level validity and reflects the study’s originality by examining the three main pillars of sustainable tourism (social, economic, and environmental) in an integrated manner. Using a convenience sampling method, 600 questionnaires were distributed; after eliminating those deemed unsuitable for analysis, a total of 568 valid responses were included. Data were analyzed using reliability analysis, factor analysis, t-tests, and ANOVA. Findings reveal that residents generally hold a supportive attitude toward sustainable tourism development, with the age variable significantly influencing all dimensions except long-term planning. Another key finding is that the length of residence in the region affects attitudes: individuals who have lived in the area for a shorter period place more emphasis on perceived social costs and economic benefits. As a pioneering study in analyzing residents’ attitudes toward sustainable tourism development in the specific context of Çankırı, the results suggest a general support for sustainability, albeit with concerns regarding the social costs associated with tourism growth. According to the findings, the primary interest of Çankırı’s residents is focused on environmental sustainability, which reflects their sensitivity toward preserving resources for future generations and their support for the responsible integration of these resources into tourism activities. The results underscore the importance of encouraging local community participation and promoting awareness of resource conservation as vital components of sustainable tourism. Another notable finding is that although tourism activities in Çankırı have not yet reached a high level of development, a portion of the participants reported discomfort with tourism and perceived its social costs. This highlights the importance of considering local attitudes and concerns in the planning and implementation of tourism strategies. The most significant limitation of this study lies in its temporal and sample constraints and its reliance on the statements within the SUS-TAS framework. Future research should incorporate open-ended questions to better understand the specific issues that concern residents and the perceived negative social impacts of tourism. Moreover, adopting a mixed-methods approach that combines both quantitative and qualitative data could yield more comprehensive and nuanced insights.

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