Özet:

Faith tourism is important both in terms of bringing in income and awareness of sacred places. In addition to leisure, recreation, sports, health, cultural factors, belief is among the reasons people participate in tourism. All societies are to visit places sacred to their beliefs, and participates in faith tourism to provide spiritual comfort. In recent years, faith tourism has taken its place in other types of tourism and has become a global sector. Hosting different civilizations and the big monotheistic religions, Kilis is a rich settlement in terms of culture and faith tourism potential. The study aims to determine the faith tourism potential of some of the sacred places of religious heritage in Kilis. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in this study. A literature review was done and study’s findings were presented in line with the findings obtained from the secondary data resources, observations made in the field and current data obtained were analyzed with descriptive analysis method. Not having enough promotional and marketing activities related to tourism in Kilis, inadequacy in infrastructure, transportation and accommodation, security issues, little if any incentives for tourism investments, not enough festivals and cultural activities, not enough promotional advertisements, not having tourism awareness and not giving importance to touristic places are among the main problems encountered. Solving these problems, developing alternative tourism types and especially actualizing faith tourism will increase the social and economic mobility in the city.

Anahtar Kelimeler: