This study aims to identify the purposes for which tourism students use artificial intelligence (AI)–based applications. The use of these applications has been increasing rapidly across various sectors, particularly in education, making it important to understand students’ motivations for adopting such tools. Accordingly, the study was designed as qualitative research to obtain in-depth insights into students’ experiences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews developed based on relevant literature. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 39 tourism students between 15 and 30 May 2025. The collected data were analyzed using content and descriptive analysis techniques. The findings reveal that tourism students primarily use AI-based applications for support in language learning, coursework, translation, destination-related information, and knowledge about civilizations. Students also reported several benefits associated with these applications, including convenience, time efficiency, and easy access to detailed information. Overall, AI-based applications were commonly associated with concepts such as convenience, knowledge, and accessibility in students’ perceptions. The study further emphasizes the role of educational institutions in promoting the effective use of AI-based applications. Providing training opportunities and ensuring free or supported access to these tools may enhance students’ learning efficiency. Based on the findings, the main recommendation is that educational institutions should educate students on how to use AI-based applications effectively and ethically. Additionally, integrating these tools into educational curricula and designing learning environments that facilitate their use may contribute to more innovative and efficient educational practices.

The rapid proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) necessitates the strategic planning of charging infrastructure to mitigate range anxiety and promote sustainable urban mobility. This study addresses the critical supply-demand imbalance in Balıkesir, Türkiye, where a remarkable 1895% increase in EVs between 2020 and 2024 has placed significant strain on the existing network. This study aims to identify the most suitable locations for new EV charging stations in the central districts of Karesi and Altıeylül. A hybrid methodology integrating the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was employed. Eight criteria, derived from a comprehensive literature synthesis, were weighted using Fuzzy AHP to manage the inherent subjectivity in decision-making. These criteria included population density, traffic density, and proximity to main roads. The findings revealed that proximity to main roads (w = 0.239), population density (w = 0.217), and traffic density (w = 0.116) were the most influential factors. The model demonstrated a high consistency ratio (CR = 0.01753), confirming its reliability. The final suitability map identified central neighborhoods, such as Altıeylül and Oruçgazi, as high-priority investment areas due to their high suitability scores and low density of existing charging stations. This research provides a robust, data-driven decision support tool for local governments and private investors, offering a strategic roadmap for the efficient allocation of resources and the effective expansion of Balıkesir's EV charging infrastructure.

The frequency and impacts of disasters are increasing due to rapid urbanization and climate change, underscoring the need to plan cities in a disaster-resilient manner. As conventional solutions have lost effectiveness and proved inadequate, the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NBS) has gained prominence. The primary aim of NBS is to address social, economic, and environmental problems holistically and produce sustainable solutions. Resilience is defined as the capacity of cities to adapt, recover rapidly after disasters, and sustain their development. Developing NBS against disasters is therefore crucial for building resilient cities. This study examines the evolution and applications of the NBS concept and discusses its role in creating resilient cities. A review of the literature shows that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods are effectively used to identify disaster risks and delineate hazardous areas in urban settings. MCDM methods are employed to determine the optimal option in decision-making processes involving numerous variables and/or multiple stakeholders, while GIS enables multi-layer spatial analyses. Using the weighted overlay method—one of the GIS-based MCDM approaches—this study aims to identify disaster risks for Kırıkkale Province and to develop NBS for built-up areas to address these risks. In this context, disaster risks were first defined for Kırıkkale; second, risk analyses were conducted by disaster type. According to the findings, high-risk areas are concentrated on steep slopes in the districts of Bahşılı, Sulakyurt, Delice, and the central district. Finally, NBS proposals were developed for the hazard-prone areas by disaster type.

With climate change and urbanization processes, intensifying heat stress has been increasing the importance of climatic comfort important for outdoor activities. This study evaluates monthly and daily climatic comfort conditions in Çanakkale using Tourism Climate Index (TCI) and Holiday Climate Index (HCI) based on temperature, humidity, wind speed, sunshine duration, and precipitation data from 1975 to 2022. Long-term trends in climatic comfort were assessed using Kendall Tau-b and Pearson correlation tests. Green spaces are areas where outdoor activities in cities are densely concentrated and which positively influence climatic comfort. By evaluating the green space inventory of Çanakkale Municipality, the supportive role of green space capacity in climatic comfort was discussed. Results indicate that May, June, and September exhibit “Good–Excellent–Ideal” comfort levels, whereas January and December show only “Unfavourable–Marginal–Acceptable” conditions. Increasing summer temperatures and humidity significantly reduce comfort. The rise in the number of comfortable days over the past 30 years is associated with regional warming. Although the expansion of ideal days in the 2020s appears positive, growing urbanization may degrade future comfort conditions. Over the last 20 years, the city’s population increased by 76%, while total green-space area grew by only 4.4%, leading to a 40% decline in per-capita green space. Although small- and medium-scale green spaces have been prioritized to improve accessibility within the city, expanding large green areas is crucial for supporting climatic comfort and ecosystem services.

This study investigates the tectonic-lithological controls on the formation of Çır Waterfall, developed along the Çıryayla Stream in the Bingöl-Ilıcalar region, and evaluates its geomorphotourism potential. The waterfall formed within the contact zone between Upper Miocene volcanics and Paleozoic schists under the influence of the East Anatolian Fault Zone (Ilıca segment). A 12.5 m resolution digital elevation model and satellite imagery were analyzed in a GIS environment. In addition, UAV flights conducted using a DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK enabled the production of high-resolution DEM and orthophoto datasets through Metashape. Morphometric analyses were carried out using the Stream Length-Gradient (SL), Mountain Front Sinuosity (Smf), and Valley Floor Width-to-Height Ratio (Vf) indices, supported by longitudinal valley profiles. Geomorphotourism potential was quantified through expert-based evaluations integrating social media visibility, SWOT analysis, and the Geosite Assessment Model (GAM). The results indicate that structural control is the dominant factor shaping the study area. Vf values (0.07-0.62) indicate narrow, deeply incised V-shaped valleys, while SL anomalies (27-2255) reflect high stream energy associated with fault zones. Smf values (1.21-1.47) point to ongoing tectonic uplift along linear mountain fronts. According to GAM results, scientific and educational values are high, whereas tourism-related components remain limited due to infrastructure and information deficiencies. Therefore, conservation measures and visitor management strategies are recommended to ensure sustainable use of the area.

Tourism is a flexible industry that affects many sub-sectors, and as such, it plays a significant role in the development of countries and regions. Due to the high mobility of people and the global risks of terrorism associated with tourism, the economic success or failure of destinations is closely linked to tourists’ perceptions of safety at their chosen destinations. Perceptions of safety directly influence tourists’ travel decisions and their satisfaction with the destination. Based on the reality of tourist safety, recent years have seen an increase in crime rates targeting tourists. The aim of this study is to examine the victimization of domestic and foreign tourists in Van Province between 2020 and 2024 using judicial dataThe data for this research were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and Python-supported tools. Frequency distributions, percentages, and comparative tables were employed, and differences between victim nationalities, types of crime, and case outcomes were examined through descriptive statistics. Within the scope of this study, a total of 144,730 case files requested from judicial institutions in Van Province were analyzed, and it was determined that 148,781 files were concluded, reflecting a rate of 102.8%.The analyses revealed that the most frequently investigated crimes were Defamation (17.3%), threat (13.66%), and Felonious injury (13.05%), respectively. Foreign nationals were most commonly subjected to intentional and negligent injury. The challenges faced by migrants in accessing judicial processes were reflected in low conviction rates. The findings indicate the need to enhance judicial support for migrants and strengthen local security policies.

The concept of co-creation has gained increasing attention in tourism research due to its close association with experience, interaction, and active participation. Building on this theoretical foundation, the present study adopts a bibliometric approach to systematically examine academic research addressing co-creation within the context of tourist tours. A total of 420 articles retrieved from the Web of Science database were analyzed to identify publication trends, leading journals, influential authors, prominent institutions, contributing countries, and frequently used keywords. The findings reveal the intellectual structure and evolution of the co-creation literature, illustrating how the concept has been conceptualized and operationalized in tour-based tourism research over time. The analysis highlights that co-creation plays a crucial role in enriching tourist experiences by fostering deeper engagement, interaction, and personalization during tours. Moreover, the results demonstrate that co-creation contributes to destinations’ competitive advantage by supporting innovation, enhancing service quality, and promoting sustainable tourism practices. By mapping the knowledge base and research trends in the field, this study provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the academic development of co-creation research in tourist tours. In addition, the findings offer practical insights for tourism practitioners and tour operators, guiding them in designing more participatory, authentic, and sustainable tour experiences that align with contemporary tourist expectations.

This study examines the "Single Voucher" system implemented in Bonito, Brazil, as an innovative destination-level governance mechanism for sustainable tourism. Rather than functioning solely as a technical or administrative tool, the system is analyzed as an institutional arrangement that restructures coordination, transparency, and accountability among public authorities, private tourism enterprises, and local community actors. Drawing on a hybrid and multi-scalar governance perspective, the study explores how digitally mediated systems enable collective regulation within complex tourism destinations. Methodologically, the research employs a case-based documentary review combined with systematic documentary analysis to investigate the institutional design and operational logic of the Single Voucher system. The findings show that the system embeds governance functions directly into routine tourism transactions through price standardization, carrying capacity control, fiscal transparency, and real-time digital monitoring. Through these mechanisms, individual market exchanges are transformed into instruments of collective governance, ensuring the consistent application of regulatory norms and accountability procedures. The analysis further indicates that the "Single Voucher" system strengthens inter-organizational collaboration, promotes equitable and traceable revenue distribution, improves tax compliance, and supports environmental protection through data-driven decision-making and institutional learning. Beyond its local context, the Bonito experience demonstrates how technology-enabled governance can align economic efficiency with social responsibility and ecological sustainability.