Hopping behaviors of indian outbound tourists: participant observations on package tours in Türkiye.

Abstract

This study examines the shopping behaviors of Indian tourists participating in itinerant package tours in Türkiye through participant observation conducted across eight tours between October 2022 and January 2023. Observations of 193 tourists reveal that shopping is a central component of the tour experience, with bargaining emerging as a dominant behavior across shops, rest stops, and optional activities. Indian tourists frequently requested additional discounts or complimentary gifts, and dissatisfaction with discount levels often influenced purchase decisions. Interactions with salespeople were generally limited, except in Turkish delight shops where tastings encouraged engagement. Tour guides played a key mediating role, as tourists relied on them for price evaluations, negotiation support, and complaint handling. Tipping was rarely observed, while complaints primarily focused on food quality, spice levels, and portion sizes. The findings contribute detailed, field-based insights into the cultural, social, and experiential dynamics shaping Indian tourists’ consumption patterns during package tours in Türkiye.