Tourism Policy and Planning: Turkey's TALC Analysis Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Turkey's tourism sector, utilizing the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model to evaluate its evolution. It begins by critically analyzing the country's previous stage of tourism, identifying it as the consolidation stage, and examining its characteristics and impacts on tourism development. The report then identifies the current stage as stagnation, justifying this assessment by highlighting the negative impacts of political instability and terrorism on tourist arrivals and the overall tourism landscape. The characteristics of the stagnation stage, including declining tourist numbers and the impact on various stakeholders such as the government, tourists, host communities, and tourism companies, are thoroughly discussed. The report emphasizes the need for effective tourism planning policies to address these challenges and attract tourists back to Turkey, referencing relevant literature and studies to support its arguments. The analysis underscores the importance of understanding the TALC model for destination managers and policymakers to navigate the complexities of tourism development and mitigate negative impacts.

Tourism Policy and Planning

Table of Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................2
1.1 Critically analyse the previous stage of turkey tourism .......................................................2
1.2 Justification of Turkey previously being in consolidation stage...........................................2
1.3 Characteristics of Turkey in consolidation stage..................................................................3
1.4 Impact of consolidation stage in tourism development in Turkey........................................3
1.5 Identification of current stage of tourism in Turkey.............................................................3
1.6 Justification of Turkey currently being in stagnation stage..................................................3
1.7 Characteristics of Turkey in Stagnation stage.......................................................................4
1.8 Impact of stagnation stage on tourism development in Turkey............................................4
1.9 Impact of stagnation stage on tourism stakeholders.............................................................4
USING TOURISM AREA LIFE CYCLE (TALC) TO CRITICALLY ANALYSE THE
PREVIOUS STAGE OF TOURISM IN TURKEY AND THE CURRENT STATE OF
DESTINATION TURKEY..............................................................................................................5
1.10 CONCLUSION .....................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Tourism Area Life Cycle ..........................................................................................5
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model involves a six stage evolution of tourism that
carries out effective planning. It involves different stages such as exploration, involvement,
development, consolidation and post stagnation (Pathak, 2014). However, the last stage is
considered as the decline or stabilization stage and thus enhance the economy so that more
number of tourists can be attracted towards Turkey. It can be evaluated that current state of
Destination Turkey and thus identifies the characteristics which impacts upon the stages on
tourism stakeholders so that destination could be improved to attract wide range of tourists.
1.1 Critically analyse the previous stage of turkey tourism
Turkey is the land of diverse culture and mainly desire to merge traditional religious and
values with the modern and western culture that support in enhancing the tourism within the
Turkey. In the year 1923 republic of Turkey get established and it results in sudden increase in
the tourism sector. It has been critically evaluated that Turkey as tourist destination is mainly
preferred by the business travelers as well as sightseeing travelers as in the past the the coastal
surroundings were consider as the key characteristic that assists in attracting the international
visitors mainly from the Russia and France (Tourism In Turkey / Tourism History of Turkey,
Milestones of Tourism Industry In Turkey, 2016). But in the contemporary unrest scenario there
is constant decrease in the rate of visitors and tourism.
1.2 Justification of Turkey previously being in consolidation stage
It can be stated that currently Turkey is in consolidation stage and in relation to this facts
and figures have been analyzed. As per the view of (The History of Tourism in Turkey. 2016)
after world war II the Turkish tourism industry was controlled and governed by the authorities. It
outcome in enforcing new legislation to initiates the entrepreneurs to invest in the tourism sector
thus, it outcome in establishing the association for organizing the industry that is Association of
Turkish Travel Agencies (Tourism In Turkey / Tourism History of Turkey, Milestones of Tourism
Industry In Turkey, 2016). Along with this, Turkey Tourism also focuses on many cultural
attractions sites and places that deliver delightful and pleasant experiences to the international
visitors that visits the destination. The past facts and figures of the international tourist include-
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2014 2015
International Tourist 10,652 12,782 13,341 16,826 20,2073 4126367 3624463
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arrivals 0 2
1.3 Characteristics of Turkey in consolidation stage
Furthermore, it has been also measured that in the past geographical location or area of
the destination was also consider as the major characteristic that support in enhancing the rate of
tourism in the Turkey. The destination is situated near Mediterranean sea along with black sea to
the north and Aegean sea to the west side (The History of Tourism in Turkey, 2016). Therefore,
the destination is mainly surrounded by the water and mountains that attracts the customers. On
the contrary to this, the present situation of war and attacks it has diminishes the characteristic of
the destination that results in decreasing the rate of travellers and visitors.
1.4 Impact of consolidation stage in tourism development in Turkey
The impact of consolidation stage it affects the tourism development in the country and it
declines in number. Reviewing the current tourist statistics to the destination in the year 2015 the
number of visitors and tourist declined to 36.2 million as the key reason for declining the rate of
international visitors is unrest political situation between Turkey and Russia along with
increasing number of terrorist attacks has affect their major destination place (Yang, Ryan and
Zhang, 2014).
1.5 Identification of current stage of tourism in Turkey
The current stage of tourism in Turkey is worst and thus it is declining due to series of
bombing from Turkey across country and thus majority of people are visiting the destination
from France and thus it affects the tourism in the country. Here, political instability also affects
the tourism and thus affects the destination so that different stakeholders are being affected.
Therefore, it is essential for government of Turkey to focus upon tourism development as in the
past there are various number of visitors attracted towards the country mainly from Turkey.
1.6 Justification of Turkey currently being in stagnation stage
Turkey is facing serious losses due to political instability and thus regular terrorist attacks
leads to decrease in number of tourists. Here, political instability also affects the tourism and
thus affects the destination so that different stakeholders are being affected. Therefore, it is
essential for government of Turkey to focus upon tourism development as in the past there are
various number of visitors attracted towards the country mainly from Turkey.
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1.7 Characteristics of Turkey in Stagnation stage
Turkey involves various number of destination which involves beaches, historical status
and coastal areas etc. that is affected due to terror attacks and currently people are not preferring
to visit Turkey for spending their vacations (Vazquez, Puls and MRL, 2016). In the year 2015, it
has been identified that tourism in Turkey is facing crisis as visitors number has been decline due
to Russian economic crisis and political tension resulting from Turkish shootdown at Russian jet.
There is also security risks for tourists within the country and thus all such negative
characteristics influences country and requires to plan appropriate tourism planning policy to
attain tourist attraction.
1.8 Impact of stagnation stage on tourism development in Turkey
There are various tourists who avoid visiting Turkey due to unavoidable war and
terrorism condition which affects the tourism in the country (Ma and Hassink, 2013).
Government aims to assess the tourism in the country ans thus use TALC model so that Turkey
as a destination would impact visitors to go anywhere else but does not visit Turkey for spending
their holidays. However, Yang, Ryan and Zhang (2014), argued that there have been terror
attacks in the main cities of Turkey which have decreased the tourism and thus damages the
image of the country in the worldwide tourists. Therefore, they do not not prefer to visit Turkey
for spending holidays and ultimately it decreases the tourism attraction within the country. It also
affects the businesses and tour operators are ditching their tourists planning to visit Turkey. The
graph has been decreasing slowly and thus Turkey's current instability condition so that different
policies has been affected (Yang, Ryan and Zhang, 2014).
1.9 Impact of stagnation stage on tourism stakeholders
It involves different stakeholders such as government, tourist, host community and
tourism company. They are impacted on different basis such as due to decline in tourists
government gets affected in regard to decrease the economy of the country. Tourists are affected
in the form that they are not able to visit the particular country where war like situation occurs.
Host community faces issues in relation to get affected by their routine lives as well as their
living of standard gets affected because income level decreases. Also, tourism company gets
affected as low number of travellers prefer to visit the country and thus it decreases their
profitability ratio. Here, in stagnation stage facilities for tourists may decline as they become old
and thus affects the tourism planning in the country. It also affects upon the number of tourists
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which gradually declines. In this stage, Turkey is also facing the same situation as government is
regularly attacking across Turkey and thus it affects tourists to visit the destination (Sinclair-
Maragh, Gursoy and Vieregge, 2015). Thus, it affects the stakeholders i.e. government,
consumers and local community as tourism business is affected. Mainly Russian people visit
Turkey and due to regular bombing and terror attacks they are afraid to visit the destination and
decreases tourism in the country.
USING TOURISM AREA LIFE CYCLE (TALC) TO CRITICALLY
ANALYSE THE PREVIOUS STAGE OF TOURISM IN TURKEY AND
THE CURRENT STATE OF DESTINATION TURKEY
As per the view of Ma and Hassink (2013), it can be evaluated that Tourism Area Life
Cycle theory is considered as the tourism region evolution which is designed in regard to help
the destination managers and others in regard to deal with and understand the issues that seem to
almost arise and affect the tourism within the country. Therefore, it is essential for the
government of the country to analyse the situation within the country and try to make it stable so
that tourism could not get affected. There are various tourists who avoid visiting Turkey due to
unavoidable war and terrorism condition which affects the tourism in the country (Ma and
Hassink, 2013). Government aims to assess the tourism in the country ans thus use TALC model
so that Turkey as a destination would impact visitors to go anywhere else but does not visit
Turkey for spending their holidays. However, Yang, Ryan and Zhang (2014), argued that there
have been terror attacks in the main cities of Turkey which have decreased the tourism and thus
damages the image of the country in the worldwide tourists. Therefore, they do not not prefer to
visit Turkey for spending holidays and ultimately it decreases the tourism attraction within the
country. It also affects the businesses and tour operators are ditching their tourists planning to
visit Turkey. The graph has been decreasing slowly and thus Turkey's current instability
condition so that different policies has been affected (Yang, Ryan and Zhang, 2014). Then umber
of tourism declined to 36.2 million due to political instability with Russia as well as terrorist
attacks.
Ren and et. al., (2013), stated that Tourism Area Life Cycle model was proposed by
Butler which states that explaining how many tourism destination move through a cycle
beginning with almost nil tourism to massive development and increases the tourism to
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eventually stagnation and decline. The model identifies the six different stages which is involved
in the life cycle of a tourism destination. Such stages are exploration, involvement, development,
consolidation, stagnation and decline (Ren and et. al., 2013). Such tool is also effective in regard
to use it as a tourism destination planning in Turkey. Following are the stages of TALC which is
discussed underneath-
 Exploration- It is the first stage of TALC and assesses that the small number of tourists
visit the area. It means that the area in underdeveloped and thus few tourist facilities
exist. Also, it involves such tourist who focuses upon exploring new tourism area. There
are very few or minimal number of travellers because of limited access, knowledge and
inadequate facilities (Yang, Ryan and Zhang, 2014).
 Involvement- It is the second stage of tourism development and thus local people start to
provide certain facilities for tourists that helps in growing and becoming a recognised
tourist destination. Evaluated that Corina-Florina, Klára and Olivier (2013), local
community to participate in tourism development process and providing best comfort to
tourists. It also increases the opportunity for employment and thus develops infrastructure
facilities to enhance tourism in the country. It provides knowledge to more number of
tourists and thus enhance tourism to attain best results (Corina-Florina, Klára and Olivier,
2013).
 Development- Vazquez, Puls and MRL (2016), stated that the host country starts to
develop and improve advertisement within the country to enhance tourism in the area.
However, with changes in time the area become popular and recognised as a tourism
destination. Thus, it helps in enhancing the economy of the country and thus attain
popularity of the destination. Further, it involves government and small scale investors as
stakeholders and thus positively impacts the destination in growing and enhance interest
of tourist within the area. Government aims to provide essential infrastructure such as
roads and electricity and investors began to provide best facilities so that tourism can be
grown. It also increases the number of tourists because the area is widely marketed and
thus enhances the tourism within the country (Vazquez, Puls and MRL, 2016).
 Consolidation- It is the stage in which the area continues to attract wide number of
tourists. Also, the growth in tourist numbers may not be as fast as before due to some
unethical conditions. It also develops certain tension between the host and the tourists. It
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is the current stage of Turkey and thus visitors are afraid of going at the destination.
Gradually number of tourists are declining as previous years due to terror attacks and thus
it decreases the tourism in the country (Yang and Fik, 2014). People are afraid of visiting
the destination and affects local businesses and people. Major people from France visit
Turkey but due to regular attacks from Turkey on Russia and decreases the tourism in the
country. Government does not focuses upon enhancing tourism but regular bombings
across Turkey in the past years affects tourism in the country. Thus, it impacts upon
different stakeholders such as government, customers as tourists and local community as
they decreases their profits (McKercher, Wang and Park, 2015).
 Stagnation- Here, in this stage facilities for tourists may decline as they become old and
thus affects the tourism planning in the country. It also affects upon the number of
tourists which gradually declines. In this stage, Turkey is also facing the same situation as
government is regularly attacking across Turkey and thus it affects tourists to visit the
destination (Sinclair-Maragh, Gursoy and Vieregge, 2015). Thus, it affects the
stakeholders i.e. government, consumers and local community as tourism business is
affected. Mainly Russian people visit Turkey and due to regular bombing and terror
attacks they are afraid to visit the destination and decreases tourism in the country.
 Rejuvenation- In this stage of TALC model it analyses that through investment and
modernisation which may occur that leads to improvements and thus increases the visitor
number again. However, such condition is still not possible for Turkey and thus they are
facing serious issues related to tourists which are decreasing in number because of
regular attacks from Turkey on across countries and people are afraid from visiting the
destination (Michailidou and et. al., 2016).
 Decline- It is the same stage and thus here tourism will go into decline that is the current
problem being faced by Turkey. Issues faced by people are that people lose their jobs
related to tourism and thus brand image of country declines. It affects the tourists to visit
and thus decreases the number of tourists visiting the country (Hall and Page, 2014). The
main stakeholders those who are affected such as customers, local community and
government in several ways which affects the tourism in the country. Therefore, it is
essential for government to maintain political stability within the country and does not
impact upon tourism in order grow and attain success (Castellani and Sala, 2012).
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Illustration 1: Tourism Area Life Cycle
(Source: The History of Tourism in Turkey. 2016)
1.10 CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the study that TALC model aims to implemented which
assesses that overall tourism activity within the destination. It identifies the tourism activity
within Turkey before and now so that it can be stated that has been affected due to terror attacks.
Also, government of the country seems to be autocratic and thus it damages the image of the
country. It created instability in the country and affects the tourism destination and different
stakeholders of the tourism. Thus, previous stage of tourism in Turkey was good and people
wants to visit but now the current state of terror affects tourism and it is at declining stage.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Castellani, V. and Sala, S., 2012. Ecological Footprint and Life Cycle Assessment in the
sustainability assessment of tourism activities. Ecological Indicators. 16. pp.135-147.
Corina-Florina, T., Klára, C. and Olivier, D., 2013. Tourism Life Cycle of Spas from the
Hungarian-Romanian Crossborder Area. A Comparative Analysis of the Hajduszoboszlo-
Baile Felix/1 Mai Spas. Journal of Travel and Tourism Research (Online). 13(1/2). pp.180.
Hall, C.M. and Page, S.J., 2014. The geography of tourism and recreation: Environment, place
and space. Routledge.
Ma, M. and Hassink, R., 2013. An evolutionary perspective on tourism area development. Annals
of Tourism Research. 41. pp.89-109.
McKercher, B., Wang, D. and Park, E., 2015. Social impacts as a function of place
change. Annals of Tourism Research. 50. pp.52-66.
Michailidou, A.V. and et. al., 2016. Green tourism supply chain management based on life cycle
impact assessment. European Journal of Environmental Sciences. 6(1).
Pathak, K. P., 2014. Paradigm Shift in Tourists Behavior and Its Impact on Tourism Area Life
Cycle: A Study on Sundarbans. DU Journal of Marketing.15. pp.187-206.
Ren, J. and et. al., 2013. The study on the life cycle of tourism area with Karst Caves of poverty
stricken areas: A case study of Zhashui cave in Shaanxi province. Ningxia Engineering
Technology. 12(1). pp.85-90.
Sinclair-Maragh, G., Gursoy, D. and Vieregge, M., 2015. Residents׳ perceptions toward tourism
development: A factor-cluster approach. Journal of Destination Marketing &
Management. 4(1). pp.36-45.
Vazquez, J.B.B., Puls, S.L. and MRL, G.B., 2016. Is Cancun Dazed and Confused with the
Butlers Life Cycle Model?. Journal of Tourism & Hospitality. pp.1-6.
Yang, J., Ryan, C. and Zhang, L., 2014. Sustaining culture and seeking a Just Destination:
Governments, power and tension–a life-cycle approach to analysing tourism development
in an ethnic-inhabited scenic area in Xinjiang, China. Journal of Sustainable Tourism.
22(8). pp.1151-1174.
Yang, Y. and Fik, T., 2014. Spatial effects in regional tourism growth. Annals of Tourism
Research. 46. pp.144-162.
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