Misafirlik Kültürü ve Turizm Çakışması: Kapadokya’da Ev Sahibi Olmanın Dinamikleri (Hospitality Culture Meets Tourism: The Dynamics of Hosting in Cappadocia)

Abstract

Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) constitutes a significant component of tourist mobility across many destinations, and the experiences of local residents directly shape the quality of these visits. In this context, hosting is not merely a social interaction but a multidimensional process closely linked to individuals’ psychological and cultural positioning. This study aims to examine the hosting experiences of residents living in the Cappadocia Region within the scope of VFR and to explore how these experiences relate to their perceptions of hospitality. Hospitality perception was evaluated through multiple dimensions, including emotional and physical comfort, expectations, attitudes, and tourism-related perceptions. Data were collected through a survey administered to 406 residents of Nevşehir, and descriptive statistics, ANOVA, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were employed. The findings indicate that hosting experiences and hospitality perceptions significantly differ according to demographic factors such as education level, occupation, and frequency of hosting guests. Moreover, emotional and physical comfort levels were negatively associated with expectations and attitudes; the clarity of the visit purpose positively influenced tourism perceptions, whereas emotional state reduced expectations and attitudes. Overall, the study demonstrates that hosting is a complex process shaped by individuals’ psychological conditions, lifestyle, and relationship management practices, highlighting the need to approach host–guest interactions more holistically within the tourism context. These results offer valuable insights for destination management and local policymakers seeking to enhance the quality of VFR visits and provide a new conceptual lens for understanding host behaviors in tourism research.