Stakeholders’ Perception of Istanbul's Historical Peninsula as a Sustainable Destination

ABSTRACT

Istanbul, as a city of more than 13 million also hosting over 10 million tourists a year, has the challenge of managing its resources to provide tourism services within a sustainable perspective. Since the sustainability of a destination requires the long-term consciousness and appropriate behaviour of all interested parties, the opinions of key stakeholders are essential. The study analysed stakeholders' perceptions towards Istanbul's Historical Peninsula as a sustainable urban tourism destination, considering four dimensions: environmental, economic, social and cultural. The research determined that stakeholders have limited knowledge and awareness concerning the sustainability of the destination. For these interested parties, the main concern is the capability of tourism to increase profits, and other sustainability dimensions, such as environmental concerns, are mainly considered in terms of making the destination more attractive for visitors.