Sağlık ve Turizm Çalışanlarının Algılarına Göre Dental Turizm Potansiyeli, Kent İmajı ve Seyahat Etme Niyeti Arasındaki İlişkilerin İncelenmesi: Bolu İlinde Bir Uygulama : Investigation of the Relationships between Dental Tourism Potential, City Image, and Travel Intention Based on the Perceptions of Healthcare and Tourism Professionals: A Case Study in Bolu Province

Yusuf ÖCEL; Şükran KARACA

Authors

Yusuf ÖCEL Duzce University
Şükran KARACA Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi

Keywords:

Dental tourism, Health tourism, City image, Travel intention, Bolu province

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the relationships between dental tourism potential, city image, and travel intention, according to the perceptions of healthcare professionals working in dental health centers and those working in the tourism sector in Bolu province. The study employed quantitative research design, specifically utilizing the correlational research method. The research population consisted of individuals working in the oral and dental health sector in Bolu. Data were collected from 306 participants through a questionnaire using a convenience sampling method. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS software through frequency analysis, explanatory and confirmatory factor analysis, normality tests, and path analysis. As a result of the analyses, four factors related to dental tourism potential were identified: dental treatment opportunities, sources of information, promotion, and destination facilities. According to the Path analysis results, the research model demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit values. The results of the hypothesis tests revealed that the dental tourism potential of Bolu has a positive effect on both travel intention and city image. Furthermore, it was concluded that city image plays a partial mediating role in the effect of dental tourism potential on travel intention.

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Investigation of the Relationships between Dental Tourism Potential, City Image, and Travel Intention Based on the Perceptions of Healthcare and Tourism Professionals: A Case Study in Bolu Province