Abstract:

The main objective of this research is to identify the difference between the quality of the service they expect for the destination and the quality of the service they perceive for local tourists visiting the Eastern Black Sea Region with the potential for eco-tourism. For this purpose, 400 indigenous tourists in the Eastern Black Sea Region were surveyed using the ECOSERV scale accepted in the field to determine the expectations and perceptions of the quality of service for the destination of local tourists who participated in ecoturism tours (ecoturism) in 2017-2018 years. The research has found that local tourists have high expectations for the East Black Sea destination, while performance levels (the quality of service they realize) are partially satisfied with expectations. The factor of "eco-physical characteristics" from the research factors, compared to other factors, has been the factor that participants pay too much attention.