The_Effects_of_the_Image_of_Destination

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European Journal of Social Sciences

ISSN 1450-2267 Vol.29 No.2 (2012), pp. 222-232


© EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2012
http://www.europeanjournalofsocialsciences.com

The Effects of the Image of Destination on Tourist


Satisfaction and Loyalty: The Case of Cappadocia

Suzan Çoban
Ph.D, Department of Business Administration
Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences
University of Nevşehir, Nevşehir, Turkey
E-mail: suzan_44.c@hotmail.com
Fax: +90-384-215 20 10

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the destination image on satisfaction
and loyalty. The destination image in the study has been examined as cognitive and
emotional image and has been investigated the effect of both factors on the components of
satisfaction and loyalty. The sample consists of 170 tourists who visited Cappadocia. With
this aspect, the work has got differences among similar studies. The survey has been
obtained from the region adaptation of the scale used in studies with similar characteristics.
The factor and regression analysis was used for the data analysis. According to the results
of factor analysis, the cognitive image has been composed of six factors. According to the
results of regression analysis, cognitive and emotional image affects satisfaction. The most
important factors are the possibilities of tourist attractiveness and touristy substructures-
access. Emotional image in the same way has an effect on satisfaction. Tourist
attractiveness, having multi-faceted impact, in part affects satisfaction and also affects
loyalty. Satisfaction has a significant effect on loyalty. At the conclusion, the author makes
suggestions about enriching the tourist appeal and the corrective work to be done. There are
two constraints of the study. First, a single language (English) is used to prepare a
questionnaire and the second it covers only tourists who travel with tourist guides.

Keywords: Destination Image, Tourist Satisfaction, Loyalty, Cappadocia.


JEL Classification Codes: M30, M31

1. Introduction
It is very important to determine the destination image while taking decisions for strategic marketing of
tourism destinations. Because it is assumed that it will result in a positive image of a destination,
loyalty to tourist destinations and satisfaction felt by tourists, such as variables. In addition, the loyalty
is a concept closely related to tourists’ satisfaction and as a result even with the ideas there is a high
degree of satisfaction with loyal tourists (Lobato et. al, 2006). In short, a positive destination image
and satisfaction, is the basis for tourist’ visits all over again. If a destination that provides
accommodation for the faithful tourists who repeat periodically, it will provide employment
opportunities and economic benefits to its citizens. It will also contribute to form a solid foundation in
the long-term development of the region.
Therefore, for the correct choice of services to be provided for tourists, it will be important to
decide on the perceived image, and on the effect of perceived total satisfaction of the image and the
European Journal of Social Sciences - Volume.29, Number.2 (2012)

tourists’ loyalty. We have found out that there have been various studies about the image, satisfaction,
and loyalty relationships while working on this subject (Kozak 2001; Lobato et. al. 2006; Prayag,
2008; Chi and Qu 2008). In this study, the Cappadocia region which is a tourist destination of Turkey
is examined, and in this respect this study has differences among similar studies. In terms of cultural
tourism, destination in Cappadocia, which has important features and is listed in the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism 2023 strategic plan, is a region (Ministry of Culture, 2009). In Cappadocia which
is an important centre of cultural tourism in Turkey, especially in the dissemination of a boutique
hotels, conference tourism, and balloon tour options are available. For these reasons, this study aims to
determine the effects of the perceived image of the destination of Cappadocia on the tourist’s
satisfaction and loyalty and determine the interaction between satisfaction and loyalty. Thus, to take
advantage of all the benefits of sustainable tourism practices, the preliminary ideas may occur as what
should be done.

2. Conceptional Framework
2.1. The Concept of the Destination Image
A touristy facility, bay, district, country, a bunch of countries, even a continent can be defined as a
touristy destination. As for the destination image, it’s regarded as a theory which generally has
subjectiveness and is highly conceptional (Baloğlu and Brinberg 1997; Tasci et. al., 2007). For
example, Barich and Kotler (1991: 95) describes the image as the total of a person’s or group’s faiths,
attitudes and impressions. These impressions can be true or false, real or fancy. Image is the reasonable
connotation or acting that someone has on the thing which is beyond their physical perception limits.
Besides being the traces remaining in the brain after something received by the sensations, image can
also be a mental fiction somebody has made up (Prayag 2008). In the wide literature search, Tasci and
the others asserted the destination image which is a united concept as an “interactive system of the
thoughts, ideas, sensations, dreams and intentions. Briefly destination image can be defined as an
aspect of tourists’ beliefs, views and impressions about a place (Avcıkurt 2004).
The attraction of a touristy destination importantly depends on the natural sources and climate
conditions of its geographical location. These environmental elements perceived by tourists, helps an
image come about in their heads. From the tourists’ point of view, the image delivered is the
fundamental factor on the final decision (Lobato et. al. 2006).
Measurement of the image of a tourism destination is made of too many tough factors. The
literature examination points out that the principal contents in this theory’s formation are innate and
scenic sources, attainability, cultural sources, security, nightlife-amusement, quality/price proportion
(Andreu et.al. 2000; Chen 2001; Oleary and Deegan 2003). Some writers point out that there are two
main elements of image (Baloğlu and McCleary 1999; Hosany et. al. 2006; Lobato et. al. 2006; Ilban
et. al. 2008; Prayag 2008): Cognitive and emotional elements. Cognitive element of image describes
the beliefs and information that people have about a place. Cognitive element generally comes as a
result of evaluating the people who live in that place and the events happening in that place. As for the
emotional element, it describes what people feel about a place. More clearly, the emotional image of a
place is about loving or not loving somewhere. Emotional image that people have about the place, as
the knowledge, beliefs and thoughts can be said to be connected to the cognitive image. Observing the
cognitive and emotional images of a place, the general image of it can be found out.

2.2. Tourist Satisfaction Concept


Content is the key factor in marketing. Customer (tourist) satisfaction has been a subject for
discussions on marketing and tourism literature and defined in various ways (Oliver 1980; Chen and
Tsai 2007; Prayag 2008; Lobato et. al. 2006). One of the most remarked definitions says satisfaction is
the degree of positive feelings’ activation for the experience. The main principle of the satisfaction

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measurement is the increase of itself when customers compare their sensations to their initial
expectations with the “disconfirmation theory” (Oliver 1981; Yüksel and Yüksel 2001; Prayag 2008).
According to this paradigm; satisfaction is a comparison between performance and expectation. If the
perceived performance is higher than the expectations, the customer is happy. Alternatively, if the
perceived performance is lower than the expectations, it is considered to be the discontentedness of the
customer’s experience. The remarkable restriction of this theory; the less expectation, the more
satisfaction. Another restriction is dynamism for the expectations’ nature and the fact that experience
and satisfaction differ according to the situations confronted in sectors such as hosting/tourism services
(Yüksel and Yüksel 2001). But in Oliver’s opinion (1999), this is based on what the customer does, but
not the psychological point. That’s why “Oliver’s Satisfaction” is defined as the fulfilled joy.
Tourist satisfaction is measured as the total of comments by the tourists on each destination’s
quality (Kozak 2003; Lobato et. al. 2006; Prayag 2008). This type of satisfaction measurement can be
considered as the valuation about the quality of the destination performance such as how tourists are
treated and subserved as well as how they felt in the destination, but not only their content at the end of
their experiences. Consequently, it is said that satisfaction and discontentedness can be used as a
performance measurement means and the ability to determine and to work as to fix factors causing
discontentedness might be an important competitive benefit source.

2.3. Loyalty Concept


Loyalty can be defined as the future manner assurance to buy a product or service. From this aspect,
loyalty can be established by observing direct buying attitude and buying frequency or by focusing on
the selling number of a product or service as well as measuring the attitude to buy it once again
indirectly (Prayag 2008). In this comprehension, that’s obtained in some “tourist attitude studies”
which affirm various alternatives to measure tourists’ loyalty (Lobato et. al. 2006; Prayag 2008). First
one, loyalty can be measured with repeating buying attitude. Second one; it can be measured with the
attitude by analyzing tourists’ tendency towards the tourism destination. As a result, a complete
measurement that includes the combination of tourists’ attitude and manner towards a destination
(Lobato et. al. 2006).

3. Search Method
3.1. Search Model and Hypotheses
The study which was made to establish the cognitive and emotional image of Cappadocia Destination
on tourist satisfaction and loyalty and to investigate the effect of satisfaction on loyalty was carried out
according to the search model in figure 1.

Figure 1: Research model

Cognitive
image

Satisfaction Loyalty
Emotional
image

Too many labours investigating the relation between destination image and tourist satisfaction
have been carried out and so many of these investigations has brought out that destination image is an
important factor in affecting tourist satisfaction (Oleary and Deegan 2003; Petrick 2004; Lobato et. al.
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2006; Chen and Tsai 2007; Prayag 2008). Therefore, whereas positive destination image supplied high
satisfaction, negative images causes discontentedness. The hypothesis which points out the effect of
the perceived image components is as below;
H1: Perceived cognitive and emotional images affect the satisfaction perceived by the tourist.
It’s affirmed that there is a positive relation between destination image and future attitudes, and
the possibility of a guest’s, who has a positive image about the destination, visiting there again and
recommending the destination to the others increase (Lobato et.al. 2006; Chen and Tsai 2007; Prayag
2008). Therefore, destination image is declared to be a determinative element on affecting tourist’s
loyalty since it foresees tourists’ attitudes (Oppermann 1998; Lobato et.al. 2006; Prayag 2008). As in
table 1, the hypothesis which explains the perceived image components’ effect on loyalty is as below;
H2: Perceived cognitive and emotional images affect the loyalty of tourists.
Additionally, in literature it is asserted that satisfaction has a positive effect on manners after
buying (Oliver 1980; Kozak 2001; Chen andTsai 2007; Prayag 2008). In other words, there is a
positively oriented relation between tourists’ sensed satisfaction level and their visiting the destination
again as well as the manner to recommend the destination to the others. But satisfaction’s effect on re-
visiting tendency and the possibility of recommending is not the same for every destination and in all
situations (Mccleary et.al. 2006). Some investigations prove contentment’s positive effect in verbal
communication (recommendation) (Chi and Qu 2008). However, other investigations show that
satisfaction barely has effect or doesn’t have any effect at all in re-visiting tendency (Petrick et.al.
2001; Prayag 2008). Kozak (2001) has proved that satisfaction is the most effective element in re-
visiting tendency for the same and different destinations in Mallorca and Turkey. As for Oliver, he
emphasized that loyalty tendency cannot be explained only with satisfaction and some factors such as
cost and time should be considered too (Oliver 1999). For instance, even if tourists are glad, they may
look for new experiences in different destinations. As in table 1, the hypothesis to explain the relation
between tourists’ satisfaction and loyalty is as below;
H3: Tourists’ satisfaction affects tourists’ loyalty.

3.2. Data Collecting and Analysis Techniques


Prepared in order to obtain data, the survey was applied to tourists who visited Nevşehir (Cappadocia)
between 1-20 June. In survey’s development, the surveys, which have been used in explorations,
fulfilled about the destination images have been examined and it has been determined that it generally
consists of similar questions besides having some differences in terms of tourism types. The survey
which was prepared in English was carried out on a group that was staying at a five-starred hotel in 30
April and it was found out that there were some meaning mistakes in the questions of the survey. After
correcting the mentioned mistakes, the survey was set ready to be carried out.
A great number of tourists visit Cappadocia every year and there are tourists on their own
besides the travel agencies and tour operators. Additionally, there are too many tourists who stay at
different kinds of hotels in the region. Consequently, it is very hard to determine the sampling frame.
For this reason, easy sampling was used in implementing the surveys. These surveys were handed in to
tourist guides who bring tourists to those hotels by the 4-5 starred and boutique hotels’ owners. Tourist
guides were asked to hand in the surveys at the end of the tour and collect the surveys back. The
managers of one five-starred, two four-starred and a boutique hotel haven’t accepted the survey
application. Tourists who were escorted by tour guides and stay at one five-starred, three four-starred
and four boutiques, as total; eight hotels participated in the survey. The surveys were carried out by ten
tour guides. 400 surveys were sent to the tour guides and 170 surveys in total returned back. The rate
of return is 43%. In table 1, the demographic peculiarities of tourists and their dispersion according to
where they stay at are shown.

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Table 1: The Distribution of Demographic Characteristics

Demographic Characteristics
A.Gender F % D. Age F %
Male 77 45 Less Than 34(Young) 54 32
Female 93 55 35-54 (Middle-Aged) 67 39
More Than 55 (Aged) 49 29
B. Civil Status F % E. Hotel Type F %
Single 82 48 Star Hotels 74 43,5
Married 88 52 Boutique Hotels 96 56,5
C. Education Status F % F. Continent F %
High School or Less 27 16 America 86 51
Pre-Licensing 34 20 European 29 17
University 77 45 Australia 28 16
High Degree-Doctoral 32 19 Asia 27 16
Total 170 100 Total 170 100

SPSS 15.0 quick pack program was used while evaluating the data. Factor analysis was used in
determining the perceived cognitive and emotional image and to measure the impact of cognitive and
emotional image, satisfaction and loyalty and the impact of satisfaction on loyalty regression analysis
was used.

3.3. The Scales


In the work, the scale, which was used by Sahin and Baloglu (http://www.tursab.org.tr) and Prayag
(2008), was used pretty much. The survey prepared consisted of five sections; Initial two sections,
cognitive (1: very bad and 5: perfect), and emotional image (1: captivating, 5: disappointment, 1:
exciting, 5: boring and 1: relaxing, 5: depressive), were made to measure cognitive and emotional
images and consisted of 5 questions scale. Third section includes the questions about re-visiting
tendency and recommending possibility to measure the loyalty to the destination. Re-visiting tendency
and recommending possibility were measured over 5 points scale. (1: unlikely and 5: very likely). The
fourth section includes one question measuring the total satisfaction. Destination experience and total
contentment of the guests were measured by 5 points scale (1: not content at all and 5: content more
than enough). The last section of the survey consists of demographic questions such as age, gender,
nationality, education.

4. Findings
4.1. The Factors which Compose Cognitive and Emotional Images
Before checking out the factors and components which compose the destination image obtained by
using factor analysis, it is better to mention some amounts about analysis: (a) as indicated in Table 2, in
cognitive and emotional image factors, Barlett’s Test result proves the result of the analysis was correct
(p: ,00< ,05) (b). Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin(KMO) amount which is acquired for cognitive image has come
out as 0.799, which explains the acceptability of the sampling. As for the emotional image, KMO was
found out to be ,717. Mentioned amounts ensure the needed condition that has to be over 0.60 (Nakip,
2003). In Table 2 and 3 is shown the factors composing cognitive and emotional images, their
components, the load of each factor, eigenvalue, variance, mean and Cronbach’s Alpha valuation.
Additionally, the percentage of explaining total variance in cognitive image is 66.7%, and this
percentage is 78.5% in emotional image.

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Table 2: The Factors Which Compose Cognitive Images

Cognitive ** Factor Total Variance Cronbach's


Factor Components Mean
Factors Loads Explain (%) α
Night Life and Entertainment ,77 13,87 ,73 3,47
Touristy Quality of Restaurant ,65
Attractions Variety of Shopping Opportunities ,62
Local Cuisine ,56
Safety and Security ,73 12,72 ,71 4,02
People’s Hospitality ,68
Basic Facilities
Standart of Services ,54
Local Tours/Excursion ,51
Natural/Scenery Attractions ,88 11,84 ,77 4,13
Cultural
Cultural Attractions ,79
Attractions
Cultural Heritage ,65
Touristy Tourism Information ,82 10,22 ,72 3,73
Substructures Accessibility ,74
and Access Foreign Language Abilty of People ,59
Natural Unpolluted envinment ,81 9,22 ,65 3,75
Environment Weather and climate ,74
Variety and Value for Money Spent ,77 8,80 ,66 3,83
Economical Variety of Activities ,54
Factors Qualty of Accommodations ,48
Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) : ,799 Barlett Testi: 750,944 df : 171 p: ,000< ,05
**
1: Very bad ……. 5: Perfect

Emotional image components were set as one factor and the factors quantity for cognitive
image was fixed at 6. Touristy attractions, basic facilities, cultural attractions, touristy substructures
and access possibilities, natural environment, variety and economical factors compose the cognitive
image. While fixing the quantity of factors, criterions considered as that eigenvalue would be over 1
and factor’s loading would be over ,450. These factors were named according to their relation with the
content of the components and the destination image. In similar searches, perceived image factors
differ. In the search made by Prayag (2008), those 5 factors were fixed; basic-comfort facilities,
security-substructure, cultural attractions-environment, variety-access and tourist attractions-
atmosphere. As for the search made by Lobato and the others (2006) the quantity of the factors
composing cognitive image was fixed as three; innate sources, service quality, entertainment.

Table 3: Emotional Image Factor and Its Components

Explain of total Cronbach’s


Factors Components (b) Load of factor Eigenvalue Mean
variance (%) α(%)
Captivating- Disappointment ,91 2,33 2,13
Exciting-Boring ,88 78,55 ,85 2,48
Relaxing - Depressive ,85 2,53
Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO): ,717 Barlett’s testi: 231,046 df:3 p: ,000< ,05

In Table 4, correlation among factors is seen. 6 factors composing cognitive image are directly
and positively related to satisfaction (at the 0.01 level of significance). There is a negatively oriented
relationship between emotional image and satisfaction (at the 0.05 level of significance). Likewise,
there is a positively oriented relationship among touristy attractions, basic facilities, cultural
attractions, touristy substructure and access possibilities and emotional image with loyalty (at the 0.01
level of significance). There is a positive relationship between the natural environment and loyalty (at
the 0.05 level of significance).

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Table 4: Correlation Between Variables

Variables 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Touristy Attractions 1
Basic Facilities ,643** 1
Cultural Attractions ,452** ,508**
Touristy Substructures
,479** ,483** ,377**
and Access
Natural Environment ,569** ,475** ,422** ,233**
Variety and
,346** ,459** ,285** ,263** ,304**
Economical Factors
Emotional image -,092 -,034 -,005 -,161* ,101 0,28 1
Satisfaction ,429** ,335** ,206** ,397** ,276** ,239** -,192* 1
Loyalty ,317** ,223** ,233** ,237** ,237** ,155* ,066 ,560** 1
* Correlation: 0.05 Significance level (two-way) is important.
** Correlation: 0.01 Significance level (two-way) is important.

4.2. Results of the Regression Analysis


As seen in table 5, at the 0.05 level of significance the image (cognitive and emotional) has an
important effect on satisfaction (R2: ,259; F: 8,104; p: ,00< ,05) and the effect of two factors makes
sensible consequences. These factors are touristy substructure-access facilities (p< ,05) and touristy
attractions. Especially, inabilities in touristy substructures-accessibility affect the tourist satisfaction.
Besides tourists who come to a destination via tour operators and travel agencies, there are tourists who
travel on their own. Deficiency in numbers of airlines and road haulage, and the poor quality
particularly in road haulage are the most remarkable discontentedness point. Deficiency in both
tourism information system and knowledge in foreign languages is emphasized. As for the subject of
touristy attractions, the efficiency of night-life, local entertainment, the efficiency and quality of the
restaurants, the disability in shopping and reflecting traditional cuisine are remarkable tracts of trouble.
Therefore, it can be said that actions to develop those two factors can be done. Then again, it can be
said that emotional image has an effect on contentment. At this point, tourists emphasize the
destination’s characteristic of being magical. As well as “being satisfied”, as one of the factors
composing cognitive image is important, cognitive satisfaction is forgotten as time goes by. On the
other hand, the extents of the emotional image last longer in the tourists’ memories and remind them of
the joy of a magical vacation. Hence, focusing on advertising these aspects of the destination which
reflects the atmosphere might make tourists visit the same destination again.

Table 5: The Effect of Image on Satisfaction and Loyalty

Image-satisfaction Image-loyalty
Factors of Image
β T p β T P
Touristy Attractions ,278 2,444 ,016 ,266 1,877 ,044
Basic Facilities ,016 ,143 ,887 -,071 -,516 ,606
Cultural Attractions -,052 -,738 ,461 ,086 ,980 ,328
Touristy Substructures and Access ,253 2,829 ,005 ,117 1,100 ,273
Natural Environment ,080 1,075 ,284 ,079 ,853 ,395
Variety and Economical Factors ,066 ,931 ,353 ,035 ,402 ,688
Emotional image -,096 -1,998 ,047 -,032 -,533 ,595
Constant 1,730 1,828
R² ,259 ,123
Adjusted R² ,227 ,085
F 8,104 3,256
The estimated standard error ,63006 ,78318
Level of significance (p) ,000 ,003

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As indicated in table 5, cognitive image at the 0.05 level of significance with its effect on
loyalty (R2: ,123; F: 3,256; p: ,003< ,05), it can be said that loyalty to the image description feature is
too low (R2: ,123). The factor expressing image’s effect on loyalty is tourists attractions (p< ,05).
Amongst perceived cognitive image factors, touristy attractions and the efficiency of the services given
to tourists and its quality affect tourists’ loyalty. As can be seen, touristy attractions affect both
satisfaction and loyalty. In order to satisfy tourists, to make them come back and recommend the
destination, especially the services given under the name of “touristy attractions” should be enriched
and made qualified.
In the regression analysis fulfilled to discover touristy attractions’ effect on tourists
recommending the destination to others and their thoughts of re-visiting, this result was obtained;
touristy attractions affect the tendency of recommending to the others(β: ,238, p: ,003< ,05; R2: ,054,
F:10,170) much more than considering to re-visit there(β: ,345, p: ,001< ,05, R2: ,069, F:10,517).
Besides the fact that this outcome is important in terms of sentiments, possessing positive destination
image may not be enough to visit a destination (manner) later again.

Table 6: Effect of Satisfaction on Loyalty

Loyalty
Satisfaction β T p
,560 8,755 ,000
Constant 1,213
R² ,313
Adjusted R² ,309
F 76,649
The estimated standard error ,60575
Level of significance (p) ,000

As in Table 6, satisfaction affects loyalty on a high level ((R2: ,313; F: 76,649; p: ,000< ,05).
Tourists should be made satisfied so that they’d re-visit the destination and recommend it to the others.
Therefore, the perceived image has a positive impact on satisfaction and loyalty; on the other hand
satisfaction has a positive impact on loyalty. According to these results, the point that various
foundations which do business in the region and the state’s related branches in order to take advantage
of all the facilities coming from sustainable tourism the point that they should focus on can be
explained this way; such works as increasing the number of the services given to tourists and making
them better, giving tourists information about the region, setting an active information system,
representing services in various languages, and increasing the number and quality of the activities
which would attract tourists’ interest such as animation shows and cultural activities should be done.
Therefore, with cognitive image, a joyful and relaxing vacation ambiance can be provided. Moreover,
being effective while working on how to make destinations be memorable in visitors’ minds might
increase the number of visitors and the chance of tourists’ re-visiting the destination again.

5. Conclusions and Suggestions


Attraction in tourism destination importantly depends on the service tourists take and what they live
during the time they spend at the destination as well as the destination’s geography and its innate
sources. Tourists interpret the touristy regions they stay at with the cognitive and emotional criterions
and get to have a general opinion about the region. This fact describes as cognitive image causes
results with too many dimensions. Cognitive image sets a ground for management decisions such as
planning marketing efforts and applications, heading for new types of tourism, supplying current
deficiencies. Additionally, perceived image affects tourists’ satisfaction and loyalty. And tourists’
satisfaction and loyalty sets ambiance for sustainable tourism, and helps the development of the region
and deploy.

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In this work, it is aimed to decide the effects of the perceived image of the destination of
Cappadocia on the tourist’s satisfaction and loyalty and determine the interaction between satisfaction
and loyalty. In the result of factor analysis, six cognitive and emotional image factors composing
perceived image were found. The components composing cognitive image are arranged as follows;
touristy attractions, basic facilities, cultural attractions, touristy substructures and transportation
options, natural environment, variety and economic factors. As for the results of the regression
analysis, cognitive and emotional images components tourists’ satisfaction. The most important
explanatory components are touristy attractions, substructure-transportation options and emotional
image factors. Cognitive image partly affects tourists’ loyalty. Touristy attractions component is the
main explanation of this effect. As for the tourists’ satisfaction, it highly affects loyalty. One of the
most remarkable outcomes obtained in these works is that perceived image’s level of explaining
loyalty is low although satisfaction explains loyalty and image explains satisfaction on a high level.
These results indicates that in order to make tourists re-visit the destination and recommend it
to the others, they should be satisfied with the best and the most important factors in terms of
satisfaction are touristy substructure-transportation options and image factors about touristy attractions.
That’s why it’s necessary to assure the services given to tourists are appropriate and qualified and to
found new workings which have these qualities, to set service standards and to develop them, to check
transportation options and to do necessary works to fix or to provide alternative transportation vehicles.
On this course, both of transportation alternatives to be used in the region and intercity transportation
options should be considered. It is necessary to review the advertising works including the information
tourists might need and to make sure they’re served in different languages. It might be necessary to
increase the activities of tourism information offices. Language knowledge is an important element for
the people and foundations who participate in employment process as much as it is important while
introducing the district. Therefore, it can be recommended that the staff who can speak different
languages in the region should be hired or there should be language teaching classes for those people.
Importance should be attached to emotional image factor, advertising works which remind of the
region’s magical atmosphere since they affect tourists’ satisfaction, various activities (animations and
cultural ones) made for a relaxing and joyful vacation. Image’s emotional component may bring out
new job opportunities for productive entrepreneurs. At this point, works based on harmony and
cooperation should be accomplished amongst Ministry of Tourism, City Directorships and business
operations in order to strengthen positive cognitive and emotional images and make them last longer.
There are two factors restricting the example capacity of the work. First factor is the language
in the survey sheet. The survey sheet was prepared in English. Tourists from too many different
countries (Japan and France in particular) visit Cappadocia destination. The survey prepared in English
has been filled by some tourists. When such a work is done, preparing survey sheets in different
languages will increase the example capacity. As for the second factor, it is that the survey would be
carried out by only the tourists who travel through tour operators and travel agencies and with the
company of tour guides. More than a million tourists visit Cappadocia destination through various
approaches, and these tourists are counted out because of the different ways in carrying out surveys.
Because of these reasons, only 170 tourists could be reached. This example capacity may not reflect
the whole group. Exercises for different tourists can be repeated in different time periods.
In the next works, destination image’s various qualities about touristy attractions, substructure-
transportation options and its effect on satisfaction can be examined in details by using focus group
method. Exercises for different tourists can be repeated in different time periods. Additionally, the
interaction amongst image, satisfaction and loyalty can be investigated on tourists who come to
Cappadocia destination and especially stay at boutique hotels for long.

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