Caravan Tourism
Chapter from the book:
Bayram,
A.
T.
&
Kavlak,
H.
T.
(eds.)
2024.
Researches on Tourism IV.
Synopsis
The phenomenon of tourism has undergone changes due to increased awareness among people, a growing inclination toward sustainable tourism, technological advancements, and the rising demand for customized tourism products and services. As a result, alternative forms of tourism have emerged, leading to the development of various tourism products that cater to diverse needs. Caravan tourism is one such outcome of this diversification. As a sub-segment of drive tourism, caravan tourism gained significant popularity during the coronavirus pandemic. Its sustainable nature and the opportunity it offers to connect with nature have played a crucial role in the increasing number of caravan tourists. In the literature, both local and international, caravan tourism is often studied alongside camping tourism due to shared characteristics such as staying in one location, sustainability, and integration with nature. However, studies focusing specifically on caravan tourism remain limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate caravan tourism and contribute to the literature. Drawing on existing information in the literature, this study examines the historical development of caravans, the characteristics of caravan tourism, its connection to sustainable tourism, concepts often confused with caravan tourism, and the attributes of caravan tourists. Additionally, statistics on caravan tourism in Turkey and globally are presented, along with recommendations related to the subject.