International Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index: Evaluation of Turkey's Strengths and Weaknesses

Abstract

The increase in international competition necessitates the analysis of competitive forces and the evaluation of opportunities and threats awaiting the destination for destinations that want to achieve their tourism goals. In the literature, there are studies on factors that are important in destination competitiveness. One of the most comprehensive studies on destination competitiveness is the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) report created by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the international competitive position of Turkey in tourism on the basis of TTCI 2019 report data and to determine the positive and negative factors that affect its competitive position by revealing its current appearance. The report includes data for 140 countries and countries are ranked by evaluating four main factors, 14 sub-factors and a total of 90 indicators that make up the sub-factors. In the study, 140 countries in the report were grouped in 5 and the competitive position of Turkey was evaluated for the related grouping. According to this; Group 1 = Very good (ranking 1-30), Group 2 = Good (ranking 31-60), Group 3 = Medium (ranking 61-90), Group 4 = Poor (91 Ranking -120) and Group 5 = Very poor (ranking 121-140) and 140 countries are arranged in 5-Group Grouped Series according to the order of competitiveness factors in the index. Within the scope of the findings of the research, it has been determined that Turkey is "very good" in terms of Natural and Cultural Resources and "good" in terms of Infrastructure and Tourism Policies and Conditions. Therefore, in terms of these factors, it can be evaluated that Turkey is strong in tourism competitiveness. On the other hand, it has been observed that it has a “medium” and declining appearance in terms of Environmental Factors.