Exploring the Stakeholder's Role in Sustainable Degrowth Within the Context of Tourist Destination Governance: the Case of Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to explore the role of tourism stakeholders in the sustainable degrowth of tourism, within the context of overtourism and destination governance. Data was gathered from document analysis and in-depth, face-to-face interviews with key tourism stakeholders in Istanbul, the most popular tourist destination in Turkey. A qualitative case study approach was adopted and content analysis was utilized as a data treatment technique. The results indicate that demarketing and applying "localhood" tourism activities are key drivers behind degrowth. Findings have also confirmed that degrowth is one solution in response to the concept of overtourism.