INVESTIGATION OF ASTROTOURISM ACTIVITIES IN SOCIAL MEDIA ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF CONTENT ANALYSIS: THE CASE OF KONYA SCIENCE CENTER
Erkan Akgöza, Elmas Toklu Ölmeza
aSelçuk Üniversitesi, Turizm Fakültesi, Turkey, eakgoz@selcuk.edu.tr
Abstract
Astrotourism is defined as a type of travel that includes activities related to the sky and space. It is preferred by participants who are interested in astronomy and want to observe the stars. Observation points and astronomy tours in rural areas support this form of tourism. Accompanied by telescopes and expert guides, visitors are provided with information and an unforgettable experience. Astrotourism encourages people to escape their daily lives and discover the fascinating beauties of the sky. The study was prepared primarily to explain the concept of astrotourism and to reveal the activities carried out in this context and the interest in them. The data evaluated within the scope of content analysis were obtained from studies in national and international literature and posts on the official Instagram account of Konya Science Center. The main reason for choosing Konya Science Center is that it allows individuals of all age groups to evaluate daily events with science and technology. For this purpose, astrotourism-related photo and video posts on the relevant social media accounts were analysed by dividing them into themes. A general evaluation was made by determining the qualities of the posts, comments and likes on them. In line with the data analysed and interpreted through the MAXQDA qualitative data analysis program, strategies for diversifying tourism and developing astrotourism were developed. In addition, recommendations are presented to relevant people and organisations.
Keywords: autoethnography, department head, department chair, training, development
JEL Classification: I23, M12, J24