Factors Affecting the Museum Visiting Habits and Museum Preferences of Students Who Receive Tourism Education At Undergraduate Level

The purpose of this study is to determine the museum visiting habits and museum preferences of students who receive tourism education at undergraduate level. Besides, it was attempted to evaluate which source of information was more effective in students' museum preferences. In the study, questionnaire technique was applied for Tourism Faculty students of Balıkesir University, and 400 valid questionnaire was taken under review. In assessment of data for demographic variables, frequency and percentage analysis were utilized. In order to determine from which dimensions the factors affecting students' museum preferences consisted of, the statements were subjected to factor analysis. As a result of the factor analysis, three dimensions were obtained which are satisfaction, physical and social environment. In order to determine whether the dimensions received from factor analysis differ as per their demographic features, Mann Whitney U-Test and Kruskal Wallis Tests were applied. According to test results, significant differences were identified in terms of some variables. According to study results, it was identified that the factors which were more effective in museum preferences of students were interesting materials in museum, reasonable ticket prices and comfortable visiting conditions of the museum. Moreover, the students stated the most effective information source in their preferences as the museum rooms used in movies, serials, novels and stories as well as travel guides and touristic publications.