SavedAdd your journal

Journals / Balıkesir Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 29 Sayı: 55

Factors leading to visitor dissatisfaction in Türkiye's national parks: A study of online reviews

Türkiye'deki milli parklarda ziyaretçi memnuniyetsizliği yaratan unsurlar: Çevrimiçi yorumlar üzerine bir araştırma

Manolya Aksatan Kaplanseren(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ, İŞLETME FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-1124-6463
Soner Söyler(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-1985-5570
Ö. Devrim Yılmaz(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-2243-5884
Volkan Bahçeci(DOKUZ EYLÜL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-0992-0108
Pages
195–220
Publication Date
2026-06-24
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Stakeholders of national parks should take these findings into account and work to reduce the situations that generate dissatisfaction in national parks while also improving tourist services.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:National parks are significant assets that fall within the categories of national and international protected areas.
📊
Key Findings & Data:These areas make significant contributions by allowing visitors to participate in recreational activities, raising awareness of environmental values, and encouraging responsible and sustainable visitor behavior.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Stakeholders of national parks should take these findings into account and work to reduce the situations that generate dissatisfaction in national parks while also improving tourist services.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Milli Park Yönetimi · Park Ziyaretçileri · Çevrimiçi Yorumlar

Abstract

National parks are significant assets that fall within the categories of national and international protected areas. These areas make significant contributions by allowing visitors to participate in recreational activities, raising awareness of environmental values, and encouraging responsible and sustainable visitor behavior. Many park visitors prefer to share the negative experiences they encounter in the parks through online platforms. The aim of this study is to collect and analyze negative online reviews of Türkiye's national parks in order to identify and classify the problems that are generating dissatisfaction. In this context, 643 negative comments about 33 national parks were examined using the content analysis method. The research findings were evaluated under nine themes identified as park managers, the physical condition of the park, environmental and waste management, stakeholders, visitor management, recreation management, service providers, risk management, and other problems related to park. These nine themes include 39 primary codes in total, involving 51 first-degree and 4 second-degree sub-codes. This study discusses those factors that lead national park visitors to leave negative comments about their park experiences. Stakeholders of national parks should take these findings into account and work to reduce the situations that generate dissatisfaction in national parks while also improving tourist services.

Özet

Milli parklar, ulusal ve uluslararası koruma alanları sınıflandırmaları arasında yer alan, önemli değerlerdir. Bu alanlar, ziyaretçilerin rekreatif etkinliklerini gerçekleştirmelerine imkân vermesi, çevresel değerlere yönelik farkındalığı arttırması, sorumluluk sahibi ve sürdürülebilir ziyaretçi davranışlarını tetiklemesi gibi konularda önemli katkılar sağlamaktadır. Pek çok park ziyaretçisi, parklarda deneyimledikleri olumsuzlukları çevrimiçi platformlar aracılığı ile paylaşmayı tercih etmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’de yer alan milli parklar hakkında yapılmış olumsuz çevrimiçi yorumları toplamak, analiz etmek ve memnuniyetsizlik yaratan sorunları belirli kategoriler altında gruplandırarak, ortaya çıkarmaktır. Bu doğrultuda, 33 milli park hakkında yapılmış, 643 adet olumsuz yorum, içerik analizi yöntemi ile incelenmiştir. Bu araştırmanın bulguları, park yöneticileri, parkın fiziki durumu, çevre ve atık yönetimi, paydaşlar, ziyaretçi yönetimi, rekreasyon yönetimi, hizmet sunan işletmeler, risk yönetimi ve park ile ilgili diğer sorunlar şeklinde belirlenmiş dokuz tema altında değerlendirilmiştir. Bu dokuz temanın toplam 39 temel kodu, 51 birinci derece alt kodu ve 4 ikinci derece alt kodu bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışma, milli park ziyaretçilerinin park deneyimleri ile ilgili olumsuz yorum yazmalarına neden olan faktörleri ayrıntılı bir şekilde ortaya koymaktadır. Milli park paydaşları bu bulguları değerlendirmeli ve milli parklarda memnuniyetsizlik yaratan durumları ortadan kaldırmaya, ziyaretçilere sunulan hizmetleri geliştirmeye yönelik çalışmalar gerçekleştirmelidir.

🔖

Cite This Article

Kaplanseren, M. A., Söyler, S., Yılmaz, Ö. D., Bahçeci, V. (2026). Factors leading to visitor dissatisfaction in Türkiye's national parks: A study of online reviews. Balıkesir Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, Cilt: 29 Sayı: 55, 195–220. https://doi.org/10.31795/baunsobed.1671320

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (51)

  1. Agyeman, Y. B., Aboagye, O. K. ve Ashie, E. (2019). Visitor satisfaction at kakum national park in Ghana. Tourism Recreation Research, 44(2), 178-189.
  2. Agyeman, Y. B. ve Antwi-Bosiako, N. B. (2022). Visitor perceptions of the roles of tour guides in Kakum National Park in Ghana. Cogent Social Sciences, 8(1), 2052403.
  3. Akama, J. S. ve Kieti, D. M. (2003). Measuring tourist satisfaction with Kenya's wildlife safari: A case study of Tsavo West National Park. Tourism Management, 24(1), 73-81.
  4. Aksu, Ö., Kılıç, C., Düzgüneş, E., Araz, N. ve Öztürk, K. (2017). Altındere Vadisi Milli Parkı kullanıcılarının rekreasyonel memnuniyetinin belirlenmesi. Ormancılık Araştırma Dergisi, 4(1), 30-45.
  5. Arabatzis, G. ve Grigoroudis, E. (2010). Visitors' satisfaction, perceptions and gap analysis: The case of Dadia–Lefkimi–Souflion National Park. Forest Policy and Economics, 12(3), 163-172.
  6. Bilgin, N. (2014). Sosyal Bilimlerde İçerik Analizi, Teoriler ve Örnek Çalışmalar. Siyasal Kitabevi.
  7. Braun, V. ve Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101.
  8. Bulut, M.B.B. ve Yulu, A. (2022). Ağrı Dağı Milli Parkı'nda rekreasyonel faaliyetlerin etkileri üzerine ziyaretçi görüşlerinin değerlendirilmesi. Türkiye Peyzaj Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(1),43-52.
  9. Crilley, G., Weber, D. ve Taplin, R. (2012). Predicting visitor satisfaction in parks: Comparing the value of personal benefit attainment and service levels in Kakadu National Park, Australia. Visitor Studies, 15(2), 217-237.
  10. DKMP (2025). Milli Parklar. 17.01.2025 tarihinde https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/DKMP/Belgeler/Korunan%20Alanlar%20Listesi/Milli%20Park%20Listesi.pdf adresinden erişildi.
  11. DKMP (2026). Milli Parklar. 27.02.2026 tarihinde https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/DKMP/Menu/27/Milli-Parklar adresinden erişildi.
  12. Dorwart, C. E., Moore, R. L. ve Leung, Y. F. (2009). Visitors' perceptions of a trail environment and effects on experiences: A model for nature-based recreation experiences. Leisure Sciences, 32(1), 33-54.
  13. Dudley, N. (2008). Guidelines for Applying Protected Area Management Categories. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Eagles, P. F. J. ve McCool, S. F. (2002). Tourism in National Parks and Protected Areas. Cabi Publishing.
  14. Erol, S. Y., Kuvan, Y. ve Yıldırım, H. T. (2011). The general characteristics and main problems of national parks in Turkey. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(23), 5377-5385.
  15. Geng, D. C., Innes, J. L., Wu, W., Wang, W. ve Wang, G. (2021). Seasonal variation in visitor satisfaction and its management implications in Banff National Park. Sustainability, 13(4), 1681.
  16. George, R. (2010). Visitor perceptions of crime-safety and attitudes towards risk: The case of Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town. Tourism Management, 31(6), 806-815.
  17. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (2025). Reef Management Strategies. 20.06.2024 tarihinde https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-work/reef-management-strategies adresinden erişildi.
  18. Gstaettner, A. M., Rodger, K. ve Lee, D. (2022). Managing the safety of nature? Park visitor perceptions on risk and risk management. Journal of Ecotourism, 21(3), 246-265.
  19. Göktuğ, T. ve Arpa, N. (2015). Ziyaretçi yönetimi bağlamında Ilgaz Dağı Milli Parkı’nda rekreasyon deneyim kalitesinin saptanması. Kastamonu University Journal of Forestry Faculty, 15(1), 146-161.
  20. Harry, B., Sturges, K. M., ve Klingner, J. K. (2005). Mapping the process: An exemplar of process and challenge in grounded theory analysis. Educational Researcher, 34(2), 3-13.
  21. Hu, Z., Kumar, J., Kannan, S. ve Qin, Q. (2024). The nexus between visitor satisfaction and expenditure behaviour in national parks: The case of Dragon Palace National Park, Guizhou, China. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 47, 100803.
  22. Kleinschroth, F. ve Kowarik, I. (2020). COVID‐19 crisis demonstrates the urgent need for urban greenspaces. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 18(6), 318.
  23. Lawton, L. J. (2012). Dimensions of least satisfaction among protected area visitors. Journal of Ecotourism, 11(2), 118-131.
  24. Lebrun, A. M., Su, C. J. ve Bouchet, P. (2021). A more sustainable management of domestic tourists in protected natural parks: A new trend in sport tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic? Sustainability, 13(14), 7750.
  25. Li, P., Xiao, X. ve Peng, H. (2023). Visitors’ perceived crowding, visual attention, and covıd ınfection risks in national parks: A social density optimization approach. Leisure Sciences, 1-23.
  26. Moyle, B. ve Croy, G. (2007). Crowding and visitor satisfaction during the off‐season: Port Campbell National Park. Annals of Leisure Research, 10(3-4), 518-531.
  27. Morse, J. M., Barrett, M., Mayan, M., Olson, K., ve Spiers, J. (2002). Verification strategies for establishing reliability and validity in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 1(2), 13-22.
  28. Mutanga, C. N., Vengesayi, S., Chikuta, O., Muboko, N. ve Gandiwa, E. (2017). Travel motivation and tourist satisfaction with wildlife tourism experiences in Gonarezhou and Matusadona National Parks, Zimbabwe. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 20, 1-18.
  29. Niezgoda, A. ve Nowacki, M. (2020). Experiencing nature: Physical activity, beauty and tension in Tatra National Park - analysis of TripAdvisor reviews. Sustainability, 12(2), 601.
  30. Obradović, S., Stojanović, V., Tešin, A., Šećerov, I., Pantelić, M. ve Dolinaj, D. (2022). Memorable tourist experiences in national parks: Impacts on future intentions and environmentally responsible behavior. Sustainability, 15(1), 547.
  31. Oliver, R. L. (1993). Cognitive, affective, and attribute bases of the satisfaction response. Journal of Consumer Research, 20(3), 418-430.
  32. Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A. ve Berry, L. L. (1985). A conceptual model of service quality and its implications for future research. Journal of Marketing, 49(4), 41-50.
  33. Parasuraman, A., Zeithaml, V. A. ve Berry, L. L. (1988). Servqual: A multiple-item scale for measuring consumer perc. Journal of Retailing, 64(1), 12.
  34. Patton, M. Q. (2014). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods: Integrating Theory and Practice. (4. Eds.). Sage Publications.
  35. Perera, P., Jayakody, C., Jayapali, U. ve Newsome, D. (2023). Challenges and opportunities for the resumption of nature tourism in post-pandemic Sri Lanka. International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks, 11(2), 234-246.
  36. Pinkus, E., Moore, S. A., Taplin, R. ve Pearce, J. (2016). Re-thinking visitor loyalty at ‘once in a lifetime’nature-based tourism destinations: Empirical evidence from Purnululu National Park, Australia. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 16, 7-15.
  37. Prakash, S.L., Perera, P., Newsome, D., Kusuminda, T. ve Walker, O. (2019). Reasons for visitor dissatisfaction with wildlife tourism experiences at highly visited national parks in Sri Lanka. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 25, 102-112.
  38. Rathnayake, R. M. W. (2015). How does ‘crowding’affect visitor satisfaction at the Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka? Tourism Management Perspectives, 16, 129-138.
  39. Rossi, S. D., Byrne, J. A., Pickering, C. M. ve Reser, J. (2015). ‘Seeing red’ in national parks: How visitors’ values affect perceptions and park experiences. Geoforum, 66,41-52.
  40. Sandelowski, M. (1991). Telling stories: Narrative approaches in qualitative research. Image: The Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 23(3), 161-166.
  41. Schuett, M. A., Lee, J., Choe, Y. ve Sim, K. (2016). The effect of services and facilities on seniors' visitation experiences in Seoraksan National Park, Korea. Asian Women, 32(3), 1-21.
  42. Sim, K. W., Kim, B. G., Lee, J. H. ve Poung-Sik, Y. (2018). The evaluation of effectiveness of the interpretive program at national parks. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 21, 69-75.
  43. Şengül, A. ve Çılgınoğlu, H. (2023). Türkiye’nin ilk milli parkına yönelik çevrim içi ziyaretçi yorumlarının incelenmesi: TripAdvisor örneği. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Vizyoner Dergisi, 14(37), 247-261.
  44. Taplin, R. H., Rodger, K. ve Moore, S. A. (2016). A method for testing the effect of management interventions on the satisfaction and loyalty of national park visitors. Leisure Sciences, 38(2), 140-160.
  45. Tengan, C., Maayir, G., Sakyi, R. ve Kuusogre, A. (2023). Dimensions of visitor satisfaction at attractions: A study of Kakum National Park, Ghana. European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, 13(2), 173-187.
  46. T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı (2023). Korunan Alanlarda Ziyaretçi Rekoru. 22.06.2024 tarihinde https://www.tarimorman.gov.tr/Haber/5720/Korunan-Alanlarda-Ziyaretci-Rekoru adresinden erişildi.
  47. Thorne, S. (2000). Data analysis in qualitative research. Evidence-based Nursing, 3(3), 68-70.
  48. Toksöz, D. ve Birdir, K. (2024). Göreme Milli Parkı ve Kapadokya Kayalık Bölgeleri’ndeki ziyaretçi etki yönetimi uygulamalarının yerli ziyaretçiler tarafından değerlendirilmesi. Alanya Akademik Bakış, 8(1), 64-77.
  49. Tonge, J., Moore, S. A. ve Taplin, R. (2011). Visitor satisfaction analysis as a tool for park managers: A review and case study. Annals of Leisure Research, 14(4), 289-303.
  50. Trip Advisor (2024). Yapılacak Şeyler. 01.05.2024 tarihinde https://www.tripadvisor.com.tr/ adresinden erişildi. Wilcox, M., Zajchowski, C.A., Fefer, J.P., Perry, E.E., Sharp, R.L. ve Brownlee, M.T. (2024). Before, during, and irrespective of the pandemic: leisure constraints and urban national park visitation. World Leisure Journal, 1-21.
  51. Yıldırım, A. ve Şimşek, H. (2018). Sosyal Bilimlerde Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri. (11. Basım). Seçkin Yayıncılık. Zolfaghari, A. ve Choi, H.C. (2023). Elevating the park experience: Exploring asymmetric relationships in visitor satisfaction at Canadian national parks. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 43,100666.