Abstract:

In this study, the geographical distribution of modern accommodation facilities and postmodern sharing residences in Izmir are compared. First, the geographical distribution of traditional facilities was observed by using the data of Izmir Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Afterwards, the locations of local residents who included their living spaces in CouchSurfing and Airbnb were determined. In this respect, 392 CouchSurfers were selected by random sampling method and they completed an online survey. The spatial data of Airbnb residences, on the other hand, were obtained from Airdna. According to the findings, modern supply is concentrated in districts such as Çeşme (96-35%), Selçuk (19-7%) and Menderes (15-5%) which are characterized by sea-sun-sand and material, whereas postmodern supply is concentrated in Karşıyaka (181-12%), Bornova (161-11%), and Buca (61-4%) which are outside the traditional accommodation corridor and focus on non-material culture. On the other hand, the supply of Airbnb provides accommodation in the districts such as Çeşme (339-32%), Urla (46-4%) and Karaburun (44-4%) where traditional facilities are generally concentrated. The geographical distribution of modern (69-25%) and postmodern (235-16%) supply in central Izmir shows parallelism only in Konak. When this similarity on the district is examined on a quarter levels however, it turns out that the facilities are concentrated in central and coastal quarters and adjacent quarters whereas the residences are more dispersed and are located in the outskirts. In conclusion, the opening of residences in tourism by individuals, adopting the sharing culture, has brought about more balanced distribution of accommodation within the destination. It has provided a range of locations and prices as well as creating an alternative accommodation possibility and this situation allows post-tourists to go outside of tourist bubble and transition to areas in the back regions which are the actual residential areas.