Developing a Comprehensive Yacht Captain Selection Model for Enhancing Competitiveness in Yacht Tourism: a Fuzzy AHP Approach

Abstract

Yacht tourism is a prominent and popular sector within the global marine tourism industry, and it has experienced significant growth in our country in recent years. The increasing desire of customers to seek tranquility and distance themselves from residential areas has been a contributing factor to this growth. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the inclination of customers towards yacht tourism, as it allows for reduced interpersonal interactions and the maintenance of social distancing protocols. Despite the pandemic's impact on people's lifestyles and recreational activities, yachts' safety, hygiene, privacy, and other distinctive features have become increasingly attractive, providing yacht tourism with a relative advantage over other activities in the tourism sector. Alongside countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, which boast highly developed yacht destinations, there has been a notable surge in demand for yacht tourism along the southern coasts of Turkey. As a result, yacht owners and management seek to recruit exceptional yacht captains who can effectively meet this growing demand and remain competitive in the sector. Consequently, the primary objective of this study is to present a comprehensive Yacht Captain Selection Model to yacht operators by utilizing the Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology to create a comprehensive framework encompassing the factors that influence the yacht captain selection process. Given the scarcity of research on the selection criteria for yacht captains, conducting the decision-making process for employing a yacht captain in accordance with these criteria, expert knowledge, and the weighting provided by the Fuzzy AHP method, is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the expanding yacht tourism industry.