The Nexus Between Tourism and Migration: Case of Didim

Abstract

This research aims to reveal the reasons for tourism-based migration to Didim. To achieve this, in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data between July 14 - August 21, 2017 / January 10 - January 24, 2018 / March 02 - March 16, 2018, with 42 participants who migrated. Participants were determined by criterion sampling, which is one of the sampling techniques of qualitative research methods. The data were subjected to thematic analysis through MAXQDA, and five main themes were determined. As a result of the analyses, the causes of tourism-related migrations were found to be five categories which are related to economic, social, natural environmental, political, and legal regulations regarding foreigners. The sub-categories depending on these main categories are economical causes including the development of the tourism industry, development of building trade, entrepreneurship-investment-employment opportunities, low-cost housing, and land opportunities, and low living costs; social causes, which are migrants, to escape from disorder, liberal environment, and ties with friends and family. This research revealed that the most significant reason for tourism-related migrations in Didim is the lifestyle migrations that have taken place after the legal regulations for foreigners and the domestic migrations accordingly.