Abstract:

This study identifies the natural, cultural and historical resources that Safranbolu possesses, listed in the "World Heritage Cities" by UNESCO. In the study, the tourism approaches of the Safranbolu local people were also studied according to various variables. The survey, which used the general scan model, included 477 people from the local population, who were selected using the maximum variety sampling method. The data collection tool developed by the researcher was implemented "The Approach to Tourism Events Scale". The SPSS 23.00 package program has been used for data analysis and identifying statistics. The study found that the local people living in Safranbolu’s approach to tourism was positive. A significant portion of the local people involved in the study stated that tourism activities brought economic prosperity to Safranbolu, increased its recognition, provided new business spaces and facilities, increased the living standards of the people, increased the transportation facilities, created the consciousness of the environment, provided the conservation of nature, increased the desire to learn a foreign language in the district, provided the conservation of cultural identity in Safranbolu, provided tourism activities increased the parks and recreational areas and preserved the traditional cultural values. In this study, local people’s views on tourism activities did not show significant differences according to the gender, educational status and income level variables of the participants. The local people’s views on tourism activities have been determined that they do not show significant differences according to age, civic status and vocational group variations.

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Abstract:

This study was aimed at the city named Safranbolu of the natural, cultural and historical resources which are included in the list as World Heritage Cities by UNESCO. Also, approaches of Safranbolu local people towards tourism activities are examined on various variables. Using the general survey method in this research participates 477 individuals from the local population selected with the maximum diversity sampling method. As a data collection the scale which was developed by a researcher named “Approaching Tourism Activities”. Both data analysis and descriptive statistics were used SPSS 23.00 package programme. As a result of the study, the approach of local people living in Safranbolu to tourism activities was positive to have been determined. A significant part of the local people who participated in the research stated that tourism activities brought economic prosperity to Safranbolu, increased its recognition, provided new business areas and opportunities, moved the living standards of the people, increased transportation opportunities, developed environmental awareness, stated that the cultural identity in Safranbolu is preserved, tourism and parks and recreation areas increase, and traditional cultural values are preserved. In this study, the opinions of local people about tourism activities doesn’t demonstrate a significant difference according to the variables of gender, education level and income level of the participants. It was determined that the opinions of local people about tourism activities do not indicate significant differences regarding age, marital status and occupational group variables.