A Research on Determining the Expectations of Yacht Owners from Marina Enterprises within the Scope of Social Responsibility Activities in Maritime Tourism Business

Abstract

As in every sector, the concept of social responsibility is one of the factors that it considers important in the marina tourism in terms of customers' buying decisions. The aim of this study is to determine the expectations of private and commercial boat owners, who are the customers of marina businesses, from marina enterprises in terms of social responsibility. For this purpose, a private and commercial boat owners serving from a marina operating in Bodrum were surveyed and their expectations from marina businesses in terms of social responsibility were put forward. Totally 58 private and 52 commercial yacht owners were surveyed. According to the results of the research, it is understood that both private and commercial boat owners want the marina enterprises to carry out social responsibility activities related to the protection and cleanliness of the sea. According to the data obtained from the survey, both commercial yachts and private yacht enterprises want marina enterprises to carry out activities related to underwater and overwater sports and also to sponsor such activities. In addition, both groups expect activities to be carried out for the protection of sea creatures.

Keywords: marina tourism business, social responsibility, marina and yacht enterprises