AN INVESTIGATION OF CRIMES AGAINST FOREIGN TOURISTS IN ISTANBUL FROM A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE

This study aims to investigate crimes against foreign tourists who visit Istanbul. The research has been undertaken within a qualitative research design using secondary data analysis and document analysis methods. The data were derived from official crime records concerning tourists for the period 2021–2024, gathered with special permission from the Istanbul General Directorate of Security, Tourism Branch Directorate. The findings indicate a considerable rise in crimes against tourists between 2021 and 2023, with the highest number of cases recorded in 2023, followed by a general decline in 2024. An analysis of crime types reveals that lost property cases constitute the most common category, while theft, snatching, and pickpocketing account for a substantial proportion of incidents; financial crimes also exhibit an increasing trend. Moreover, the results indicate that crime incidents vary widely with respect to the tourists’ nationality and region, hence, there is no focusing on specific country groups. By looking at crimes against tourists from a destination management perspective, this paper intends to uncover leading results that can be beneficial for destination managers and policymakers.