An Investigation to Determine Opinions and Perceptions of Entertainment and Food & Beverage Businesses towards Tourism Activities: The Case of Bosphorus, Istanbul

Abstract

This study, therefore, aims at revealing reactions and attitudes towards tourism, of local enterprises, which are excluded from the decision-making process to the extent that they can get no benefits in a tourism-oriented development scenario. To that end, a questionnaire conducted on local food-beverage and accommodation enterprises at Bosporus Site, which is a significant natural and cultural asset of Istanbul. Population of the research consist enterprises at 26 neighborhoods, which stand out with their cultural and natural heritage. In order to measure reactions and attitudes of enterprises to tourism interventions, obtained data was analyzed through Principal Components Analysis (PCA), The Weighted Linear Combination Method (WCL). Seven factors as determinants of local enterprises' reactions and attitudes towards tourism were concluded from the analysis. Those factors were respectively named tourism- oriented interventions? positive influences of tourism, competitive environmental conditions, socio -economic environment perception, place attachment, socio-cultural environment perception, and negative influences of tourism? It was found that tourism- oriented interventions is the factor most determining local enterprises' reactions and attitudes towards tourism. To conclude, it should be remembered that interventions made in order to attract local and foreign entrepreneurs to the city will change the socio-economic and physical texture of the neighborhood, and such a change, in turn will trigger a gentrification process which will also change authenticity of the neighborhood and will even pave the way for the gradual displacement of both inhabitants and local enterprises. That will bring along many problems regarding the right to the city and local identity. This study shows that public policies safeguarding local people and indigenous values are required for a sustainable and fair city development.