University Students' Perceptions About Balıkesir's Tourism Potential and Tourism Experiences

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine university students' perceptions of Balıkesir's tourism potential, their level of knowledge and their tourism experiences in Balıkesir. For this purpose, a questionnaire was applied to the final year undergraduate students at Balıkesir University and 401 valid questionnaires were evaluated. Frequency analysis, percentage analysis, mean, factor analysis, independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied to the obtained data. As a result of the study, it is observed that the students have the opportunity to visit the touristic places from time to time, that their friends are the most source of information about the touristic places in the city/provinces of Balıkesir, and that they participate in touristic activities with a group of friends. In addition, it has been determined that the first connotation that comes to mind of students when Balıkesir is mentioned is höşmerim, and Ayvalık is the first touristic place that comes to mind. As a result of the factor analysis, it was found that the perceptions of the students about the tourism potential of Balıkesir consisted of four factors, and that the “suggestions” and “tourist attractions” factors were the expressions with the most participation.