Travel motivations of Iranian tourists to Turkey and their satisfaction level with all-inclusive package tours

Abstract

This study aims to investigate Iranian tourists' travel motivations to Turkey and their satisfaction level with all-inclusive package tours to this country. Based on an indepth literature review, a questionnaire was developed and data was collected from 383 Iranian tourists who stayed in resort hotels in Antalya, Turkey. The research findings reveal that entertainment, being a family friendly destination, weather, cultural resources and quality of resort hotels were the main motivational factors among Iranian tourists for visiting Turkey. Main reasons for the participants for selecting all-inclusive package tours include predetermined schedules, service quality, set price and elimination of extra spending. The research findings show a high level of satisfaction with all-inclusive package tours. However, there were differences among respondents based on gender and age. The study concludes with offering specific theoretical and practical implications. Suggestions for future research are also provided.

Participant Observations on Iranian Tourists Taking Part in Guided Excursion in Kusadasi, Turkey

“…In addition, considerable amount of textile products is purchased in outlet stores (20 shopping transactions) and leather shops (7 shopping transactions). On the one hand, the research findings support the previous studies indicating that Iranian tourists prefer reasonable shopping facilities (Asadi and Daryaei, 2011c;Bouzari, 2012;Asadi and Daryaei, 2012;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Duman, 2016;Ozturk et al 2017), on the other hand, they differ from the studies indicating that Japanese tourists have a high tendency to buy branded products (Jansen-Verbeke 1994: 439;Timothy 2005: 87;Rosenbaum and Spears 2006a).…”

“…The research aims at revealing Iranian tourists' behaviors on guided excursion tours. Foroughi et al 2011;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Nikjoo and Ketabi, 2015;Duman, 2016;Andarabi and Uygur, 2017;Ozturk et al 2017) and married with children (Bouzari, 2012;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Nikjoo and Ketabi, 2015;Ozturk et al 2017). However, there are also single participants apart from family groups.…”

“…Battour et al (2012) state that achievement, exciting and adventure, family togetherness, knowledge/ education and escape are the most important push factors while natural scenery, wide space and activities, cleanness and shopping and modern atmosphere the most pull factors of travel motivation for Muslim tourists. As for some studies, Iranians give priority to 'entertainment' and 'cheap shopping opportunities' with regard to the activities they perform at the destination (Asadi and Daryaei, 2011c;Bouzari, 2012;Asadi and Daryaei, 2012;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Duman, 2016;Andarabi and Uygur, 2017;Ozturk et al 2017). Consequently, cheapness is of great importance for both package tours and shopping preferences of Iranian tourists.…”

“…According to Ozturk et al (2017), about 91.1 % of Iranians participating in their research conducted in Antalya joint the activities outside their hotels. Among those activities, shopping (72%) took an important place, and each of the participants claimed to spend about 2,000 Euros for the activities.…”

“…According to the research on Iranians, affordable prices; availability of shopping (Asadi and Daryaei, 2011a;Asadi and Daryaei, 2011b;Asadi and Daryaei, 2011c;Asadi and Daryaei, 2012;Bouzari, 2012;Asgari and Borzooei, 2014;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Nikjoo and Ketabi, 2015;Duman, 2016;Andarabi and Uygur, 2017;Ozturk et al 2017) and entertainment facilities (Asadi and Daryaei, 2011c;Bouzari, 2012;Asadi and Daryaei, 2012;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Duman, 2016;Ozturk et al, 2017) and accessibility/ visa facilitation (Asadi and Daryaei, 2011c;Nikjoo andKetabi, 2015, Ozturk et al 2017) have impact upon their destination preferences. There are some research (Asgari and Borzooei, 2014;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Duman, 2016) indicating that Iranians shop mostly for clothes during their vacations, however, most of the research on Iranians (Foroughi et al, 2011;Bouzari, 2012;Nikjoo and Ketabi, 2015;Fard and Saberi, 2015;Duman, 2016;Andarabi and Uygur, 2017;Ozturk et al, 2017) apply quantitative research design. As a result of this, scopes of research are kept too broad and the research objects do not give in-depth information enough.…”