Abstract:

In this study, the aim is to determine the levels of influence from the social media in the use of social media and destination preferences of local tourists visiting the Kırklareli ili Visa destination. Through the survey form prepared in this direction, data were obtained from 430 indigenous tourists who visited the Visa in the period from 1 June to 30 October 2019. Following the analyses, the participants shared their positive and negative experiences on social media; they carefully follow their social media accounts for tourist destinations; they tend to visit their destinations by viewing their social media; they think the social media is effective in the promotion of their destinations; they like to share their comments and advice on their destinations; they follow their price information and campaigns on their destinations; they decide on their destinations according to the comments and advice on their social media accounts; and they have been booked in the destinations they have influenced by reviewing their social media. The findings have shown that the active and efficient use of social media tools contributes to the promotion of destinations and that visitors play an important role in the destination selection process due to the effective access to the information they are looking for. Therefore, all stakeholders in the management and marketing of the destination have developed the visibility of the destinations as infrastructure and content, taking into account these results, and in the points to be put forward, it is recommended that they take advantage of virtual or enhanced reality practices.

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