A CROSS-CULTURAL COMPARISON OF TOURISTS' PERCEPTIONS OF HOTEL LOBBIES

Abstract

This study examines cultural differences in the perception of hotel lobbies. It aims to determine the differences/similarities within spatial preferences in hotel lobbies by focusing on three aspects of space: physical appearance, configuration, and usage and privacy arrangements. To measure the differences, a survey is conducted in Sultanahmet, Istanbul with tourists within two focus groups from Asian and European countries (n= 30 each). They are asked to rate their agreement with each statement about the spatial features on a 5-point Likert scale. As a result,
\nboth differences and similarities in the perception of
\nthe tourists from different cultures are found. It can be
\nnoted that there are statistically significant differences
\nbetween the two groups in terms of configurational
\nfeatures and usage and privacy arrangement of
\nlobbies. The results provide designers some data to
\ncreate a space for similar user profiles.