Leisure preferences of residents in Nevsehir, a historical city in central Turkey

Abstract

The recreation and leisure activities which emerged with the industrial revolution and developed up to the present day are becoming more and more important. They are important aspects of the lives of individuals, and equally for the health of present-day economies. This paper explores the relationships between socio-economic and demographic features and the leisure preferences and activities of the local people, and the implications for marketing leisure goods and services in a country at an intermediate stage in its economic development, and in a city where tourism has become a major industry. Primary and secondary data are used. The new data is from a survey of 200 residents in Nevsehir, a city in Central Turkey. In addition to standard socio-economic and demographic information, the sample was questioned about their preferences for different kinds of leisure activities. The implications for leisure providers, and for leisure policy in the city and country, are then discussed.