Locational attributes of the lodging industry: An empirical study on urban hotels in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

Providing temporary accommodation for visitors, hotels usually make permanent location choices as a strategic managerial decision. This study is shaped around the research question of how urban hotels appreciate their locational attributes considering their operationality. By this way, it is aimed at establishing the location decisions of urban hotels, and the interaction between their spatial distribution and urban space. A structured questionnaire was conveyed to a sample of 75 hotels operating in Ankara city to inquire about their locational attributes. Results show that hotels commonly accompany with the business functions and their operability are affected from the urban spatial structure. The analysis provides a basis to discuss the attributes of urban location on the business operations of lodging industry by presenting an empirical assessment, and an insight to both potential entrepreneurs and decision-makers in developing a policy framework for hotel investors’ needs, demands, and site-specific problems