Employee Perceptions of the Economic, Social, and Environmental Effects of the Kuşadasi International Golf Resort

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The purpose of this research is to examine the perceptions of the employees of the Kusadasi International Golf Resort and the economic, social, and environmental effects of golf tourism. In addition, considering the location of the resort, the perceived effect of golf tourism, which forms an alternative tourism activity, is examined. As in a descriptive qualitative design, employees’ perceptions were attempted to be revealed by using semi-structured interview forms. The study sample consisted of eight staff working in the Kusadasi International Golf Resort. Maximum variation sampling was selected from among the purposeful sampling methods. As a result of the research, it was concluded that the environment was perceived to be undamaged, the natural structure was preserved, and that there was no over-irrigation. In addition, it was revealed that because of the resort being far from the local residential area, there is no interaction between the visiting tourists and the local people. Moreover, the employees also reported on the employment creation effect of the resort, which is very similar to what is asserted in tourism literature. The implication of this paper is that stakeholders’ perspectives are important to understand their feelings, and therefore to act in a more sustainable manner.