Can They Manage in a Sustainable Way? The Role of International Destination Awards in Beach Management

Abstract This study aims to reveal the perceptions of local beach destination managers about level sustainability in their management practices. research puts into practice a comparative assessing two destinations: Muğla, located Turkey, which won World Travel Award, and Algarve, Portugal, is member state European Union (EU) that has also repeatedly same award. In this context, in-depth interviews were held with tourism offices selected destinations qualitative data obtained through semistructured carried out between February April 2020. As outcome, hypotheses elected analysed: “the regions’ sustainable managerial practices differ” “no difference exists regions.” Both regions award, but EU Algarve still winning whereas non-EU Muğla not. The findings can be shared create or increase awareness. No studies found compared award-winning destinations. Because gap literature, will add value literature topic.