Could the Southern-Kurtalan Express be as Popular as the Eastern Express? Comparative SWOT Analysis

Yıl 2023, , 490 - 510, 30.10.2023

Yenal Yağmur

https://doi.org/10.24010/soid.1303541

Öz

Train tourism can play a critical role in the development of the tourism potential of the cities, such as increasing the tourism potential of the cities, economic contribution, reducing the differences in the level of development between regions, and employment in the cities where the railway line passes, and thus in the development of the country’s tourism potential. This situation occurred in the cities of the route where the Eastern Express passed. Therefore, this research aims to present a comparative SWOT framework on whether the Southern-Kurtalan Express has the potential to be popular like the Eastern Express, and to explore the perception and behavioral tendencies of travelers towards the Southern-Kurtalan Express. While conducting interviews with 30 participants to create a SWOT matrix for the Southern-Kurtalan Express, the SWOT matrix for the Eastern Express was compiled from the relevant literature. Comparing the data from the participants and the SWOT matrices compiled from the literature, it can be deduced that the Southern-Kurtalan Express is as strong as the Eastern Express and even has more advantages but has similar weaknesses and that the Southern-Kurtalan Express faces significant opportunities as well as similarly wider threats. In this regard, the Southern-Kurtalan Express has a high potential to be as popular as the Eastern Express, but success can be achieved if all stakeholders act together to determine strategies for reducing the threat width and improving the potential.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Southern-Kurtalan Express, Eastern Express, Train Tourism, Rail Tourism

Etik Beyan

Siirt Üniversitesi, 14/03/2023 tarihli, 4445 Sayılı Karar

Could the Southern-Kurtalan Express be as Popular as the Eastern Express? Comparative SWOT Analysis

Öz

Train tourism can play a critical role in the development of the tourism potential of the cities, such as increasing the tourism potential of the cities, economic contribution, reducing the differences in the level of development between regions, and employment in the cities where the railway line passes, and thus in the development of the country’s tourism potential. This situation occurred in the cities of the route where the Eastern Express passed. Therefore, the aim of this research is to present a comparative SWOT framework on whether the Southern-Kurtalan Express has the potential to be popular like the Eastern Express, and to explore the perception and behavioral tendencies of travelers towards the Southern-Kurtalan Express. While conducting interviews with 30 participants to create a SWOT matrix for the Southern-Kurtalan Express, the SWOT matrix for the Eastern Express was compiled from the relevant literature. Comparing the data from the participants and the SWOT matrices compiled from the literature, it can be deduced that the Southern-Kurtalan Express is as strong as the Eastern Express and even has more advantages but has similar weaknesses and that the Southern-Kurtalan Express faces significant opportunities as well as similarly wider threats. In this regard, the Southern-Kurtalan Express has a high potential to be as popular as the Eastern Express, but success can be achieved if all stakeholders act together to determine strategies for reducing the threat width and improving the potential.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Southern-Kurtalan Express, Eastern Express, Train Tourism, Rail Tourism.

Kaynakça

• Afrch (Alisan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage). (2022). https://afrch.forest.gov.tw/EN/0000103, accessed 22.10.2022.
• Afshardoost, M., & Eshaghi, M. S. (2020). Destination image and tourist behavioural intentions: A meta-analysis. Tourism Management, 81, 104154.
• Alkan, A. (2018). Alternatif bir turizm rotası: Kurtalan Ekspresi. Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies, 6(4), 1016-1038.
• Altunışık, R., Boz, H., Gegez, E., Koç, E., Sığrı, Ü., Yıldız, E. & Yüksel, A. (2022). Sosyal bilimlerde araştırma yöntemleri: Yeni perspektifler (Araştırma yöntemleri, yeni uygulamalar, bakış açıları). Ankara: Seçkin Yayıncılık.
• Bayat, G. (2021). Turistik Doğu Ekspres tren yolculuğunun değerlendirilmesi. Türk Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(2), 783-798.
• Bayraktar, Y., & Selçuk, G. N. (2022). Train tourism in the context of experiential tourism: The example of the touristic Eastern Express travel. Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies, 10(2), 1436-1463. Bergenline. (2022). https://www.vy.no/en/traffic-and-routes/stations-and-network-maps/the-bergen-line, accessed 21.10.2022.
• Bernia. (2022). https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express, accessed 22.10.2022.
• Bingöl, S. & Kozak-Akoğlan, M. (2020). Turistik tren yolculuklarına nostaljik yaklaşım: Doğu, Güney Kurtalan ve Van Gölü Ekspresleri. Journal of Recreation and Tourism Research, 7(3), 325-349.
• Blancheton, B., & Marchi, J. J. (2013). The three systems of rail tourism: French case. Tourism Management Perspectives, 5, 31-40.
• Buluk, B., & Eşitti, B. (2019). Batıdan doğuya yavaş seyahat: Doğu ekspresinin Kars’ın sürdürülebilir turizm gelişimine etkisi. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 5(2), 159-176.
• Camargo, B. A., Garza, C. G., & Morales, M. (2014). Railway tourism: An opportunity to diversify tourism in Mexico. M. V. Conlin & G. R. Bird (Ed.), Railway heritage and tourism: Global perspectives içinde (pp. 151–165). Bristol: Channel View Publications.
• Çanakçı, S. D., Çanakçı, T., & Geçgin, E. (2019). Kars ilinin destinasyon imajı ve Doğu Ekspres’i deneyimi. OPUS International Journal of Society Researches, 11(18), 1876-1896.
• Doğan, M., Pekiner, A. B., & Karaca, E. (2018). Sosyal medyanın turizm ve turist tercihlerine etkisi: Kars-Doğu Ekspresi örneği. Seyahat ve Otel İşletmeciliği Dergisi, 15(3), 669-683.
• Durangotrain. (2022). https://www.durangotrain.com/, accessed: 24.10.2022.
• Earl, A., & Hall, C. M. (2023). Nostalgia and tourism. Journal of Heritage Tourism, 1-11.
• Eryılmaz, B. & Yücetürk, C. (2018). Genç turistlerin Doğu Ekspresi seferleri tercihlerinde Instagram’ın rolü. Journal of Tourism and Gastronomy Studies, 6(4), 210-228.
• Eser, E. & Asmadili, V. U. (2019). Bir kültür mozaiği olan ani kentine götüren raylar: Turistik Doğu Ekspresi. Akademik Tarih ve Düşünce Dergisi, 6(4), 2132-2166.
• Glacierexpress. (2022). https://www.glacierexpress.ch/en/offers/excellence-class/, accessed 21.10.2022.
• Gorji, A. S., Garcia, F. A., & Mercadé-Melé, P. (2023). Tourists’ perceived destination image and behavioral intentions towards a sanctioned destination: Comparing visitors and non-visitors. Tourism Management Perspectives, 45, 101062.
• Güney, T., & Kızılırmak, İ. (2021). Nostaljik turizm: Doğu ekspresi. Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli Üniversitesi SBE Dergisi, 11(4), 1702-1716.
• Hall, C.M. (2000). Tourism planning, Prentice Hall, Harlow.
• Himachalservices. (2022). https://himachalservices.nic.in/heritage/history.html, accessed 22.10.2022.
• Inlandsbanan. (2022). https://res.inlandsbanan.se/en/package-tours/north-to-south, accessed 21.10.2022.
• Ivanov, S. (2023). What can we learn from Star Wars about the future of tourism? Absolutely everything!. Journal of Tourism Futures, 9(2), 222-228.
• Karagöz, Y. (2017). Spss ve Amos uygulamalı nitel-nicel-karma bilimsel araştırma yöntemleri ve yayın etiği. Ankara: Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
• Korkusuz, T., & Özdemir, M. (2020). Turistik ürün çeşitlendirmede sosyal medyanın etkisine bir örnek: Doğu Ekspresi. Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 6(1), 143-160.
• Krippendorff, K. (1980). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology. Sage, Beverly Hills, CA.
• Kurihara, T., & Wu, L. (2016). The impact of high speed rail on tourism development: A case study of Japan. The Open Transportation Journal, 10(1), 35-44.
• LaTrochita. (2022). https://www.patagonia-argentina.com/en/old-patagonian-express-la-trochita/ accessed 21.10.2022.
• Lee, C. F., & Chen, K. Y. (2017). Exploring factors determining the attractiveness of railway tourism. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 34(4), 461-474.
• Ma, J., & Li, F. S. (2023). How does self-construal shape tourists’ image perceptions of paradox destinations? The mediating roles of cognitive flexibility and destination involvement. Tourism Management, 95, 104664.
• Madsen, D. Ø. & Stenheim, T. (2022). SWOT Analysis. In Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Retrieved Feb 16, 2023, from https://www.elgaronline.com/view/book/9781800377486/b-9781800377486.swot.analysis.xml
• Miles, M.B. & Huberman, A.M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage. Norwaytrains. (2022). https://www.norwaytrains.com/flamsbana-train.html, accessed 24.10.2022.
• Omo-Obas, P., & Anning-Dorson, T. (2022). Cognitive-affective-motivation factors influencing international visitors’ destination satisfaction and loyalty. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, (ahead-of-print).
• Pan, J.Y. (2005). The positive research on transportation and Tibet economic development. Guizhou Ethnic Studies, 25(6), 97–105.
• Peira, G., Lo Giudice, A., & Miraglia, S. (2022). Railway and tourism: A systematic literature review. Tourism and Hospitality, 3(1), 69-79.
• Reihanian, A., Mahmood, N. Z. B., Kahrom, E., & Hin, T. W. (2012). Sustainable tourism development strategy by SWOT analysis: Boujagh National Park, Iran. Tourism Management Perspectives, 4, 223-228.
• Reis, A. C., & Jellum, C. (2012). Rail trail development: A conceptual model for sustainable tourism. Tourism Planning & Development, 9(2), 133-147.
• Rockymountaineer. (2022). https://www.rockymountaineer.com/about-us#, accessed 14.10.2022.
• Roy, S., & Hannam, K. (2013). Embodying the mobilities of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Mobilities, 8(4), 580-594.
• Saylan, U. (2021). Turistik tren yolculukları ve sosyal medya etkileşimi: Van Gölü Ekspresi hakkındaki YouTube paylaşım videosunun analizi. Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (Van Özel Sayısı), 803-830.
• TCDD. (2023). https://www.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/tren/yolcu-vagonlari/ accessed 12.04.2023.
• Thepalaceofwheels. (2022). https://thepalaceonwheels.com/aboutus.html, accessed 14.10.2022.
• Thetrain. (2022). https://www.thetrain.com/, accessed 22.10.2022.
• Tran, P. K. T., Nguyen, H. K. T., Nguyen, L. T., Nguyen, H. T., Truong, T. B., & Tran, V. T. (2023). Destination social responsibility drives destination brand loyalty: a case study of domestic tourists in Danang city, Vietnam. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 9(1), 302-322.
• Trang, N. T., Yoo, J. J. E., Joo, D., & Lee, G. (2023). Incorporating senses into destination image. Journal of Destination Marketing & Management, 27, 100760.
• Tranzalpine. (2022). https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours-and-trains/scenic-trains/tranzalpine-train/, accessed 21.10.2022.
• Winter, C. (2007). Tourism, nation and power: a Foucauldian perspective of ‘Australia’s’ Ghan Train. M. Hall (Ed.), Tourism, Power and Space In (pp. 101-121). Abingdon: Routledge.
• Yağmur, Y., & Aksu, A. (2020). Destination image of Antalya from the perspectives of tourists staying in hospitality establishments with the concept of halal tourism. Journal of Tourism and Services, 21 (11), 103-128.
• Yaldız, E., & Suna, B. (2020). Nostaljinin turizme yansıması: Doğu Akdeniz nostalji ekspresi örneği. Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 17(46), 584-604.
• Yan, Y. Q., Zhang, H. Q., & Ye, B. H. (2014). Assessing the impacts of the high-speed train on tourism demand in China. Tourism Economics, 20(1), 157-169.
• Yıldırım, A. & Şimşek, H. (2013). Sosyal bilimlerde nitel araştırma yöntemleri (9. Baskı). Ankara: Seçkin Yayıncılık.