Evaluation of the Factors Affecting the Preference of Cruise Tourism with Fuzzy DEMATEL Method

The primary objective of this study is to identify the factors influencing passengers' preferences for cruise tourism in Türkiye and to evaluate their significance level. The most important criteria were determined using the fuzzy DEMATEL method, and the results were evaluated. The most significant criterion for passengers opting for cruise tourism is travel costs. Accordingly, the criteria of activities and entertainment, ship type and structure, destination, safety, accommodation, and restaurant services have been identified. The criterion of lesser importance is port management. Cruise tourism stakeholders can design upcoming steps according to this research, in which the most important criteria have been identified and the results evaluated. The analysis of these criteria will also contribute to policymakers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs who require novel sources of information. The importance of ranking the criteria influencing the preference for cruise tourism to contribute to sustainable development demonstrated the necessity of identifying the most significant criteria. These criteria are of high significance in the contemporary worldwide cruise tourism industry, which needs to be accentuated. The factors influencing the preference for cruise tourism reveal information that can contribute to the development of this sector.