Tourists’ perceptions towards stray/free-roaming animals (FRA): the case of İzmir, Turkey

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to investigate international tourists’ perceptions of stray/free-roaming animals (FRA) in İzmir, Turkey. The main issue addressed is whether FRA negatively affect tourism. İzmir was chosen as the focus of the study because the population of FRA (dogs and cats) is high and İzmir is one of the important tourism centres in Turkey. On annual visits to İzmir, the researchers witnessed an increase in the population of FRA in the city which provides the background of how and why this article came about. It is estimated that there are nearly 500,000 FRA in İzmir and it is known that 1.5 million tourists come to the city every year. In this regard, the study was undertaken to establish how visiting tourists to İzmir perceive FRA animals and their management. The factors that influence their perceptions were also assessed. In general, and where tourists encountered FRA, the animals’ treatment was perceived as more positive than in their home country and did not have a negative impact on the holiday experience.