Local People Personality Types and Perception of Tourism in Rural Areas

Tourism is one of the important dynamic sectors that play a role in the development of the regions. However, attractiveness, accessibility, tourism operations and support of local people are essential for the development and sustainability tourism in a region. The aim of this study is to reveal the residents' perceptions towards tourism according to their personality in Ardahan and to contribute to the development of tourism in the region. In order to reach research purposes, the data was collected from 400 locals living in Ardahan using a questionnaire and the convenience sampling method was concluded that local people's personality types can be categorized in five dimensions as; extrovert, being prone to use, cold and lack of self-confidence. Besides, residents' perception towards tourism can be examined in three dimensions as positive impacts of tourism and negative social and environmental impacts of tourism. The results show that local people give importance positive impacts of tourism as well as negative environmental and social impacts. Moreover, in conclusion, extraverted locals are keen to support tourism.