M.A. Theses

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Browsing M.A. Theses by Author "Alvarez, Maria Dolores."

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    A social impact assessment of cultural trails :|the case of Hoyran/Kapaklı in the Lycian way
    (Thesis (M.A.) - Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in the Social Sciences, 2021., 2021.) Sürmeli, Pelin.; Alvarez, Maria Dolores.
    A cultural trail refers to an interactive, human intercultural network based on cultural properties, which has a specific dynamic and historical functionality. Cultural trails are complex entities in which the visitor has a direct and intense interaction with local people. This may cause a direct impact to the local economy, the environment and the socio-cultural fabric of the community. In this research, a community-based tourism initiative project, ‘A Historical Break on the Lycian Way’, is examined. This project is a collaborative undertaking of the United Nations Development Fund and the Anadolu Efes company, aimed at creating a rural tourism destination in two villages on the Lycian Way, Hoyran and Kapaklı. Data were collected from the project application documents and through in-depth interviews in August 2019 to the local people and other project stakeholders, selected using judgmental and convenience sampling methodology. This descriptive research combines Theory of Change, ethnographic summary and content analysis methodologies to investigate the social impacts of the project in terms of socio-cultural, environmental and economic changes that affect the local community of Hoyran and Kapaklı as a result of the introduction of tourism through the intervention. The research illustrates the changes to these communities that may be achieved via tourism projects in cultural trails and proposes a list of general and trail-specific indicators that are derived through the analysis of the data.
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    A socio-cultural perspective on Yoga tourism
    (Thesis (M.A.) - Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in the Social Sciences, 2017., 2017.) Öznalbant, Ecem.; Alvarez, Maria Dolores.
    Yoga has become an increasingly widespread activity, also becoming popular as a form of tourism. Many Westerners travel to the roots of yoga, to destinations in India where yoga originated in ancient times. In addition, yoga trips to other places around the world are joined by yoga practitioners. This is also the case in Turkey where yoga has become a well-known activity. Several kinds of yoga trips are arranged to mountains, valleys and forests around Turkey, or to destinations abroad. Despite the growing popularity of yoga tourism, there is a dearth of studies on this topic. Little is known about what motivates tourists to travel to a particular destination to practice yoga, and about the impacts that this activity may cause in receiving destinations. Therefore the purpose of this investigation is to bring light on yoga tourism practices. The focus is on the point of view of the yoga tourists, as the research aims to understand the motivations and expectations of these individuals and their perceptions concerning socio-cultural aspects of yoga tourism. The findings show that there are three types of yoga trips: (1) yoga focused, (2) cultural tourism focused, and (3) wellness focused. These trips show different emphases and varied experiences, including the way in which the participants interact with others and in particular with the local community. The research also identifies some issues related to the concern of the yoga tourists for socio-cultural aspects such as authenticity, especially in root of yoga destinations.
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    Sustainable tourism development via agritourism :|the case of Gökçeada
    (Thesis (M.A.) - Bogazici University. Institute for Graduate Studies in Social Sciences, 2022., 2022.) Tekin, Ayşegül.; Alvarez, Maria Dolores.
    Since the late twentieth century, there is a growing interest of various stakeholders worldwide, from policymakers to practitioners and tourists, in agritourism. However, limited research has been done to identify critical success factors for sustainable agritourism development, especially in the context of developing countries. Therefore, this research provides guiding information concerning the development of an agritourism destination within the principles of sustainability. It analyzes the specific example of Gökçeada as an incipient agritourism destination and thus highlights what factors are available and what factors are missing for the development of an agritourism destination in the island. A conceptual model that summarizes all of these factors is also proposed. Data collection is made through semi-structured in- depth interviews carried out with local authorities, organic farmers, agritourism providers and candidates of agritourism activities, selected via judgmental and snowball sampling techniques The research findings reveal the importance of a legal framework to develop sustainable agritourism destinations. This research also highlights the need for a definition of what is a working farm. Practical implications for policymakers and agritourism providers are also made.