Airports as shopfronts of tourism destinations: awarded brand Singapore Changi versus Surviving Istanbul Ataturk

Abstract

Industrial tourism which is depended on inclusive tours consists of several supplying sectors. Air transportation is one of the primary suppliers of industrial tourism not only because it provides one of the two main components of inclusive tour but also it is maybe the most institutional and industrial supplying sector for tourism. Airports on the other hand, play a shopfront role for the destinations as they are ‘first impressions’ either for the arrival-departures or for the transfers. Considering the importance of airports as shopfronts, the main international Airport in Turkey: Istanbul, Ataturk (IA) is examined in this particular study. Taking the perceptions of both airports’ passengers into consideration, the well-known and permanent five star rated Singapore, Changi (SC) as ‘best in class’ (BIC) is compared with three star rated IA. The results revealed there are significant differences between the perceptions of both airports’ passengers.