Examining 13. İstanbul Biennial in the context of contemporary art events and tourism of Turkey

Biennials are organized for more than a century and they are became the tradition of exhibiting contemporary art. Biennials are known as gigantic exhibitions and provides an important contribution to city and country. International Istanbul Biennial which is shown one of the world most prestigious biennial, was not mentioned in any study about tour activities on tourism field. 13th Istanbul Biennial was most visited biennial in Turkey and it was examined in this research. The main purpose of the research was determining sufficiency of tour activities and understanding to approach of the biennial visitors for the Istanbul Biennial tours. Qualitative research method was used in research. Data of the research were obtained with natural participant observation and interview methods. Findings were interpreted by content analysis. Biennials were examined in event tourism Tour activities are new devoloping area for Istanbul Biennial in Turkey. While tourism professionals have been telling that biennial are provided prestige for the country, they also say difficulty of organizing tour for biennial. Other wise effective visitor approach of environmental approaches and advertisements were effected to biennial visitors about joining the tour. Being a historic building and taking place in Istanbul's cultural point for exhibition area have been an attraction. KEYWORDS: Event Tourism, Biennial, International İstanbul Biennial, Contemporary Art.